FORT WORTH, Texas – The Allied Pilots Association (APA) expressed its firm opposition to airline industry efforts to delay implementation of installed physical secondary barriers.
Congress approved legislation in 2018 requiring secondary barriers in all new commercial airliners to enhance flight deck security. Following that law’s passage, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) presided over a rulemaking process to solicit feedback and finalize the regulation.
“We urge the FAA to proceed as planned with implementation of installed physical secondary barriers. It’s unconscionable for the industry to petition for a two-year delay — enough is enough,” said APA President First Officer Nick Silva. “Contrary to what proponents claim in the request to delay implementation, improvised secondary barriers are not a suitable substitute for the real thing. The airline industry needs to do what’s right and comply with what Congress has wisely mandated.”
APA has been advocating for secondary barriers for years. A few examples:
- 2021: We posted a video featuring Tom McGuinness Jr., whose father was one of the pilots killed on 9/11.
- 2022: We urged lawmakers to act on the Saracini Enhanced Aviation Act of 2021.
- 2024: Our Government Affairs Committee applauded the barriers’ inclusion in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.
- 2024: Our Government Affairs Committee published a white paper about secondary barriers being one of our legislative priorities.
