The U.S. Department of Transport (DOT) has tentatively approved plans by US regional airline SkyWest, and is now running charter flights under a new subsidiary, countering strong labor groups that have tried to push the plan down.
However, these unions are still urging agencies to warn about the safety of planned operations and reconsider their interim findings.
On February 13, Dot approved a proposal from SkyWest to launch charter flights for SkyWest Charter. Skywest applied for authorities in 2022 and was unable to receive it under President Joe Biden's control.
The interim greenlight on February 13 says Dot can't find a reason to approve SkyWest Charter and launch the flight, but the agency gave 14 days of stakeholders to express opposition.
Parent Skywest, the largest regional airline in the United States, says charter arms will continue flying to small communities where aviation services could be lost. That 2022 application came amid a wide shortage of pilots and other pressures that have helped reduce aviation services to small U.S. communities over the years.
Charter operators flying under the FAA Part 135 Rules can employ pilots with 1,200 hours of flight time, less than 1,500 hours required for scheduled airlines flying under the rules of Part 121.
In recent years, charter businesses like other airlines have emerged in the United States, including what is called JSX. Such businesses have been opposed by labor groups and several major airlines.
The battle continues.
In a February 27 letter to DOT, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) said that approval would undermine safety as Skywest Charter plans to operate a “high-performance jet” with “the first inexperienced, unqualified officers” via the so-called “loofor pole” against the 1,500h rule.
Similarly, in a letter on February 27, the Flight Crew Association told DOT it would approve that “the business model planned by (Skywest Charter) is equivalent to a rollback of safety protection.”
The opposition also comes from the Transport and Trade sector, a policy advocacy organization representing 37 labor groups.
Regional airlines have criticised the 1,500h rule, claiming that pilot shortages have worsened but not improved safety. The US Congress established rules in response to the fatal 2009 crash crash of the Colgan Air de Havilland Canada DHC 8-400.
