(WNY News Now) – WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) sent a letter to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David P. Pekoske urging the investigation of the vulnerabilities in current security standards for scheduled public charter flights (Part 135 operators) and the prompt implementation of heightened security measures to address these concerns. Currently, TSA security screening measures for scheduled public charter flights are varied, while commercial air travel follows standardized security protocol. This letter is co-led by Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) and signed by 55 additional Members of Congress.

“When you board a flight in the United States, you expect the highest safety standards, but the TSA is failing when it comes to security protocols for scheduled charter flights,” said Congressman Langworthy. “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan letter to the TSA outlining our concerns with obvious vulnerabilities and urging implementation of increased and reasonable safety standards. It’s imperative that the TSA takes decisive action to address these shortcomings and bolster security protocols to protect passengers and crew members effectively.”

“The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) safeguards America’s aviation system every day. The agency’s mission is critical, and there is no room for error,” said Congressman Veasey. “I am troubled that a growing number of public charter flight operators are trying to skirt TSA’s security standards. That is why I am proud to join this bipartisan letter with Rep. Langworthy that underscores the importance of TSA’s ongoing investigation into this matter. I will continue to advocate for strong standards and hold those accountable who do not abide by those standards.”

The letter reads, “There should not be varying security standards for the operation of aircraft with more than 9 seats, operating scheduled service, and selling individual tickets. Requiring passengers on some scheduled airlines to go through a TSA-operated checkpoint while allowing other passengers on virtually identical scheduled airlines to bypass TSA and other critical security protocols makes no sense and creates glaring security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by those who wish to cause harm. The TSA should take immediate action to ensure that passengers go through full TSA security processes when flying on an air carrier that operates aircraft with more than nine seats, publishes a flight schedule, and sells individual tickets.”

Read the full letter here.

Additional signers of the letter are Reps. Jack Bergman, Jake Ellzey, Katie Porter, Randy K. Weber, Sr., Jerrold Nadler, Robin L. Kelly, C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger, Guy Reschenthaler, Shri Thanedar, Deborah K. Ross, Josh Gottheimer, Michael V. Lawler, Stephen F. Lynch, Mark Alford, Jan Schakowsky, Colin Z. Allred, Jonathan L. Jackson, Paul D. Tonko, John B. Larson, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Brian K. Fitzpatrick, Jasmine Crockett, Nikki Budzinski, David J. Trone, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Mike Quigley, Bill Foster, Andrew R. Garbarino, Sean Casten, Linda T. Sánchez, Bill Pascrell, Jr., Eric Sorensen, Dan Goldman, Donald M. Payne, Jr., Salud Carbajal, Angie Craig, Tony Gonzales, Robert J. Menendez, Hillary J. Scholten, Greg Stanton, Delia C. Ramirez, Kay Granger, Sylvia R. Garcia, Tony Cárdenas, Adriano Espaillat, Chris Pappas, Danny K. Davis, Alma S. Adams, Ph.D., Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Thomas H. Kean, Jr., Adam B. Schiff, Brendan F. Boyle, A. Drew Ferguson IV, J. Luis Correa and Val Hoyle.

This letter has received support from outside organizations including Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), Allied Pilots Association (APA), American Airlines, Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), National Air Carrier Association (NACA), NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP), Southwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA), and Transport Workers Union (TWU).

Congressman Nick Langworthy represents the 23rd Congressional District of New York, including Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben Counties and parts of Erie County. Visit langworthy.house.gov.