[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 176 (Monday, September 15, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44450-44452]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17759]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0672]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments;
Clearance of Renewed Approval of Information Collection: Certification
of Airports, Part 139
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
FAA invites public comments about our intention to request approval
from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to renew an information
collection. Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 139
establishes certification requirements for airports serving scheduled
passenger-carrying operations of an air carrier operating aircraft
configured for more than 9 passenger seats, as determined by the
regulations under which the operation is conducted or the aircraft type
certificate issued by a competent civil aviation authority; and
unscheduled passenger-carrying operations of an air carrier operating
aircraft configured for at least 31
[[Page 44451]]
passenger seats, as determined by the regulations under which the
operation is conducted or the aircraft type certificate issued by a
competent civil aviation authority. This part does not apply to:
airports serving scheduled air carrier operations only by reason of
being designated as an alternate airport; airports operated by the
United States; airports located in the State of Alaska that serve only
scheduled operations of small air carrier aircraft and do not serve
scheduled or unscheduled operations of large air carrier aircraft;
airports located in the State of Alaska during periods of time when not
serving operations of large air carrier aircraft; or heliports.
DATES: Written comments should be submitted by November 14, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Please send written comments:
By Electronic Docket: www.regulations.gov. Enter docket number:
FAA-2025-0672 into search field.
By email: [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chel Schweitzer by email at:
[email protected]; phone: 202-267-2677.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of
this information collection, including (a) Whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for FAA performance; (b) the
accuracy of the estimated burden; (c) ways for the FAA to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the information collection; and (d)
ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of
the collected information. The agency will summarize and/or include
your comments in the request for OMB clearance of this information
collection.
The collection involves FAA Form 5280-1, Application for Airport
Operating Certificate. Every airport sponsor seeking airport
certification under part 139 must complete this form, as well as
provide a draft Airport Certification Manual (ACM). In addition,
currently certificated part 139 airports must maintain their ACM, and
keep and maintain records related to training, self-inspection, and
other requirements of part 139.
The collection includes new requirements for Safety Management
Systems (SMS) at certain part 139 airports, and the inclusion of
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) response plans in an airport's Airport
Emergency Plan (AEP) or Airport Security Plan (ASP).
These records allow the FAA to verify airports meet part 139
minimum safety and operational requirements to enhance the safety of
the flying public.
OMB Control Number: 2120-0675.
Title: Certification of Airports, 14 CFR part 139.
Form Numbers: FAA Form 5280-1.
Type of Review: Renewal of an information collection.
Background: The statutory authority to issue airport operating
certificates to airports serving certain air carriers and to establish
minimum safety standards for the operation of those airports is
currently found in Title 49, United States Code (U.S.C.) Sec. 44706,
Airport operating certificates. The FAA uses this authority to issue
requirements for the certification and operation of certain airports
that service commercial air carriers. These FAA requirements are
contained in Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 139 (14 CFR
part 139), Certification of Airports as amended. Information collection
requirements are used by the FAA to determine an airport operator's
compliance with part 139 safety and operational requirements, and to
assist airport personnel to perform duties required under the
regulation.
Operators of certificated airports are required to complete FAA
Form 5280-1 and develop, and comply with a written document, an Airport
Certification Manual (ACM), that details how an airport will comply
with the requirements of part 139. The ACM shows the means and
procedures whereby the airport will be operated in compliance with part
139, in addition to other instructions and procedures to help personnel
concerned with operation of the airport to perform their duties and
responsibilities.
When an airport satisfactorily complies with such requirements, the
FAA issues to that facility an airport operating certificate (AOC) that
permits an airport to serve air carriers. The FAA periodically inspects
these airports to ensure continued compliance with part 139 safety
requirements, including the maintenance of specified records. Both the
application for an AOC and annual compliance inspections require
operators of certificated airports to collect and report certain
operational information. The AOC remains in effect as long as the need
exists, and the operator must comply with the terms of the AOC and the
ACM.
The likely respondents to new information requests are those
civilian U.S. airport certificate holders who operate airports that
serve scheduled and unscheduled operations of air carrier aircraft with
more than 9 passenger seats (approximately 518 airports). These airport
operators already hold an AOC and comply with all current information
collection requirements.
Operators of certificated airports are permitted to choose the
methodology to report information and can design their own
recordkeeping system. As airports vary in size, operations, and
complexity, the FAA has determined this method of information
collection allows airport operators greater flexibility and convenience
to comply with reporting and recordkeeping requirements. All of the
information may be submitted electronically.
The FAA has an automated system, the Certification and Compliance
Management Information System (CCMIS), which is a national database of
airport inspection information that is accessible by FAA airport safety
and certification inspectors. This information in this system is
monitored to detect trends and developing safety issues, to allocate
inspection resources, and generally, to be more responsive to the needs
of regulated airports.
The FAA has developed an automated reporting tool, the Airport
Crisis Response Reporting (ACRR) tool, which allows airport personnel
to directly input the operational status of an airport following an
incident or emergency event that impacts an airport or the surrounding
area.
The following types of information are new to this information
collection: the required implementation of SMS at certain airports and
the requirement for all airports to maintain a UAS Response Plan.
Part 139 subpart E (``Airport Safety Management System''), mandates
Safety Management Systems. Operators of certificated airports are
permitted to choose the methodology for reporting information and can
design their own recordkeeping systems to meet their specific needs.
This flexibility allows airports, which vary in size, operations, and
complexity, to comply with FAA reporting and recordkeeping requirements
more efficiently. All information collected under SMS can be submitted
electronically. Airports are responsible for gathering and maintaining
data on safety-related activities, including incident reports, safety
risks, corrective actions, and performance evaluations. This
information is crucial for the FAA to monitor safety trends, assess
emerging risks, and allocate resources effectively, ensuring that
safety management practices align with regulatory standards.
[[Page 44452]]
Section 139.325 (``Airport emergency plan.'') requires part 139
certificate holders to develop and maintain an Airport Emergency Plan
(AEP) to minimize the possibility and extent of personal injury and
property damage on the airport in an emergency. UAS (Unmanned Aircraft
Systems) Response Plans have become a mandatory component of an
airport's AEP in response to the increasing risks posed by UAS (often
referred to as ``drones'') operations near airports. Recently mandated
by the FAA, these plans outline the procedures airports must follow to
detect, assess, and respond to UAS threats that could interfere with
airport operations or compromise safety. The UAS Response Plans include
strategies for coordination between airport personnel, local law
enforcement, and the FAA, as well as protocols for identifying and
mitigating potential UAS hazards. These plans ensure that airports are
prepared to address the unique challenges posed by UAS incidents,
enabling a swift and coordinated response to minimize disruptions and
protect both aviation safety and security.
Respondents: Approximately 518 airports.
Frequency: Information collected on occasion.
Estimated Average Burden per Response: 759 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 393,008 hours.
Issued in Washington, DC, on this date, 11 September 2025.
Anthony M. Butters,
Acting Manager, Airport Safety and Operations (AAS-300).
[FR Doc. 2025-17759 Filed 9-12-25; 8:45 am]
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