Safe Air on Airplanes Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4994
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-08-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-19T08:06:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation, titled the Safe Air on Airplanes Act, aims to direct the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to revise aviation safety regulations to gradually eliminate or mitigate the use of bleed air systems in certain aircraft, with the goal of reducing potential exposure to oil fumes in cabin air.
Key Provisions
- The FAA Administrator must update regulations under 14 CFR Part 25 and related rules within 6 months of enactment.
- New type-certified turbine and turbo-prop aircraft designs are prohibited from using bleed air systems.
- Beginning 7 years after enactment, any bleed air systems in newly manufactured aircraft must include filters or air-cleaning devices to remove gaseous and particulate oil fumes.
- A phased reduction applies to existing type designs of turbine and turbo-prop aircraft:
- 25% manufactured without bleed air systems by 10 years after enactment.
- 50% by 20 years after enactment.
- 100% by 30 years after enactment.
- The bill defines a bleed air system as one that draws compressed air from an engine or auxiliary power unit compressor stage (upstream of combustion) to supply pressurized air for aircraft pneumatic systems, including ventilation that passengers or crew may inhale or contact.
Significant Changes to Existing Law This bill introduces new mandatory requirements for phasing out bleed air systems, which are not currently prohibited or phased out under existing FAA regulations. It adds specific timelines, filter mandates, and design prohibitions that expand beyond current airworthiness standards.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Requires the FAA to develop and enforce new regulatory standards, potentially increasing administrative workload.
- Citizens: May improve cabin air quality for passengers and crew over time by reducing fume exposure.
- International relations: Could influence global aircraft certification standards if U.S. rules affect manufacturers exporting to or operating in other countries.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The FAA (as the primary regulator).
- Aircraft manufacturers (responsible for design and production changes).
- Airlines and operators (facing fleet transition costs).
- Pilots, flight attendants, and passengers (as direct users of cabin air systems).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill represents a regulatory mandate on private industry with extended compliance timelines, which could raise questions about implementation feasibility and economic burdens but does not appear to alter constitutional authorities or create new legal rights.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (13)
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4]
Recent Actions
- 2025-08-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
- 2025-08-19: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-08-19: Introduced in House
- 2025-08-19: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Safe Air on Airplanes Act — issued 2025-08-19 — PDF (3 pages)