WASHINGTON DC, The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered all US airlines to certify pilot hiring is merit-based or face investigation.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the directive Friday, citing safety concerns over alleged race and sex-based recruitment.

The mandate requires carriers to adopt a new “Operations Specification” confirming that pilot selection relies solely on technical qualification. Airlines failing to comply with this order will be subject to immediate federal scrutiny and potential enforcement action.

“The American people don’t care what their pilot looks like,” Duffy said in a press statement.

“They just care that they are the most qualified man or woman for the job,” he added.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford supported the move, calling merit-based hiring a “bare minimum expectation” for passenger safety.

The order applies to all carriers operating under 14 CFR Part 121, covering major passenger and cargo airlines.

 COMPLIANCE DEADLINES AND INDUSTRY REACTION

FAA Principal Operations Inspectors must notify airlines of the new “OpSpec A134” requirement within two business days.

Carriers then have seven days to submit information before the specification becomes a mandatory part of their operating certificate.

The directive aligns with President Trump’s Executive Order 14173, titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.”

Airlines for America (A4A), representing major carriers like Delta and United, affirmed its members would comply with federal laws.

“Safety is, and always will be, the top priority for US airlines,” the industry group stated on Friday.

Critics of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives have long argued that quota-based hiring compromises flight deck competence.

Conversely, advocates argue that diversity programs expand the talent pool without lowering rigorous certification standards.

 BACKGROUND ON PILOT QUALIFICATION STANDARDS

US airline pilots must hold an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and log 1,500 flight hours.

Federal regulations also mandate specific training in aerodynamics, meteorology, and air traffic control procedures.

The FAA maintains that the new order reinforces these existing statutory requirements for technical proficiency.

Recent years saw airlines like United set goals to train more women and people of color.

This sparked intense debate over whether demographic targets influence the strict selection process for flight deck crews.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) stated that allegations of discriminatory hiring practices persist despite previous warnings.

Secretary Duffy emphasized that “safety drives everything we do” and the measure increases transparency for passengers.

 ENFORCEMENT AND OPERATIONAL IMPACT

The FAA’s new Operations Specification A134 explicitly links hiring practices to an airline’s Safety Management System (SMS).

Operators must now document that their recruitment filters prioritize cognitive skills and piloting experience above all else.

Non-compliance could theoretically threaten an airline’s operating certificate, though specific penalties remain discretionary.

The move marks a significant shift in regulatory oversight regarding corporate governance within the aviation sector. Observers expect legal challenges if the mandate conflicts with existing equal opportunity employment laws.

For now, carriers must move quickly to update their manuals and certify compliance to avoid federal intervention.

“Operational safety is fundamentally dependent upon the knowledge and proficiency of flight crewmembers,” the FAA notice concluded.