FARE Act

The "Fair Aviation in Restrictions and Emergencies Act" (FARE Act) establishes a new policy for air travel during a lapse in appropriations, commonly known as a government shutdown. It specifically prohibits the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from reducing or temporarily prohibiting commercial flights in the National Airspace System due to funding lapses, unless it has simultaneously prohibited all private aircraft flights within the same geographical area for the same duration. A "commercial flight" is defined as a regularly scheduled flight by a passenger common carrier, while a "private aircraft flight" refers to jet-equipped flights not operated by such carriers. However, the bill outlines several critical exceptions where private aircraft flights would still be permitted, even if commercial flights are restricted. These exceptions include flights for public safety, government business, military or diplomatic purposes, medical reasons, agricultural or scientific purposes, humanitarian relief, and cargo transport. The FAA is authorized to enforce these provisions through civil penalties or by seeking a civil injunction in United States District Court against any air carrier violating the Act.