Federal Requirements for Airport Safety Management Systems

MARCH 29, 2023

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a final rule mandating certain airport certificate holders to develop, implement, maintain, and adhere to an airport safety management system (SMS).

Effective April 24, 2023, this rule will require qualifying airports to:

• submit an implementation plan for approval within 12-24 months;
• submit an Airport Certification Manual amendment/SMS manual 12 months after implementation plan approval; and
• fully implement the SMS within 36 months of the implementation plan's approval.

The SMS comprises four components: safety policy, safety assurance, safety risk management, and safety promotion. This rule is expected to reduce the likelihood and severity of hazardous events while improving employee morale, regulatory compliance, and loss control, among other benefits.

Of the approximately 550 U.S. airports that fall under the FAA's federal airport certification regulation, 258 are required to follow the SMS rules. For an airport to be required to comply with the new SMS rule, it must meet one of the following criteria:

1. Be classified as a hub airport;
2. Have a 3-year rolling average of 100,000 operations per year; or
3. Have international operations (not only General Aviation traffic).

The FAA estimates that airports triggered under any of the three criteria capture over 90% of air carrier passenger traffic in the United States.

This Airport SMS rulemaking has been in process for over a decade, including pilot studies and industry comment periods to develop the rule and corresponding Advisory Circular.

“The safe operation of our nation’s airports is paramount during these historic times in aviation as we work to repair and construct necessary airport infrastructure,” said associate administrator of airports for the FAA, Shannetta R. Griffin, PE. “This rule promotes safety and allows airports to work collaboratively with partners to mitigate risks and avert accidents.”

Learn how to comply with the new FAA regulations and improve airport safety with our expert aviation insights.

Download USI’s full guide, Federal Requirements for Airport Safety Management Systems.