The House of Representatives has passed a measure designed to bolster pilot protection by requiring the installation of secondary barriers on new passenger aircraft.
Among the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reform measures was the Saracini Aviation Safety Act of 2018. It is similar to Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick’s Saracini Aviation Safety Act of 2017, which mandated the installation of secondary barriers on all passenger aircraft.
The bill, named in honor of pilot Captain Victor J. Saracini, who was killed when terrorists hijacked United Flight 175 on September 11, 2001, outlines the use of lightweight wire-mesh gates installed between the passenger cabin and the cockpit door to block access to the flight deck whenever the cockpit door is opened during flight for pilots’ meals, restroom use, and other reasons.
“As our nation continues to combat the threat of terrorism, it is crucial that air travel frameworks are enhanced to keep our nation safe,” Fitzpatrick said. “Protecting the cockpits in our nation’s airplanes is critical in preventing commercial airliners from hijacking and deterring malicious actors around the globe. This agreement is a major victory for airline safety.”
The bill now heads to the Senate and is expected to be signed by the President.