Federal Aviation Administration
Aviation Update

Monday, September 17, 2001
5:00 P.M. Eastern Time


The FAA's phased restoration of aviation activity continues to make steady progress. At 3:40 p.m., there were 5,620 flights in the air, which is about 90 percent of a normal Monday afternoon. On Saturday and Sunday, flights were at about 75 percent of normal activity.

One of the FAA's stepped-up security measures is augmenting its Federal Air Marshal program with law enforcement officers from other federal agencies. These officers have already started their air marshal training. At the same time, the FAA is hiring additional personnel for the Air Marshal program. If you are interested in becoming a Federal Air Marshal, you may fax your resume to 609-485-8345.

For air travelers, most of the nation's airports have implemented the FAA's stepped-up security measures and are open and operating. However, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, DC remains temporarily closed.

If you are traveling by air, please give yourself plenty of time to check in under the stepped-up security procedures. For specific flight information, call your airline. If you have an electronic ticket, you should call the airline in advance. Only ticketed passengers will be allowed beyond the security checkpoint. Within certain guidelines, the airlines will determine what ticket documentation (tickets, boarding passes, or reservation confirmations) their security screeners will allow, so please check with the airline in advance if you have an electronic ticket. All passengers should remember to bring a government-issued photo ID.

For general aviation operators and pilots, on September 14 the U.S. Department of Transportation approved resumption of general aviation Instrument Flight Rules, or IFR, flights. These pilots -operating under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations - must be instrument-rated, must file IFR flight plans, and must receive a clearance before departure. Please note that flights under visual flight rules (VFR) have not been authorized, with the exception of agricultural aviation flights (crop dusters). These Part 137 operators were authorized to resume operations late this afternoon.

Currently, general aviation IFR operations are approved between U.S. airports as well as to and from Japan, Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. These aircraft must be on an IFR flight plan and must comply with all U.S. Customs Service notifications and requirements to land at U.S. airports designated as ports of entry.

Mail and freight is now permitted on passenger flights, but are subject to heightened security procedures. For specific questions about the transport of mail, please contact the U.S. Postal Service.

Following is an update on airlines:

All U.S. carriers are permitted to fly domestic routes and to international destinations.
International carriers may fly to the United States if they meet the FAA's new security guidelines and depending on their point of origin.
U.S. carriers flying from international points may enter the United States, depending on their point of origin.
Please remember, air travelers should contact specific airlines to find out about flight schedules and boarding requirements.

Below you can find answers to frequently asked questions concerning commercial air carrier service. The FAA appreciates your understanding and patience during this recovery period.