The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is giving more than 200 of the busiest airports in the United States up to five years to implement a safety management system (SMS).
An SMS, which the FAA defines as “the formal, top-down, organization-wide approach to managing safety risk and assuring the effectiveness of safety risk controls,” is designed to detect safety problems and mitigate them before they cause accidents.
The final rule requiring airport SMSs will take effect 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register.
“The safe operation of our nation’s airports is paramount during these historic times in aviation, as we work to repair and construct necessary airport infrastructure,” Associate FAA Administrator for Airports Shannetta R. Griffin said. “This rule promotes safety and allows airports to work collaboratively with partners to mitigate risks and avert accidents.”
SMS programs at commercial airlines and m…
