Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has issued a new directive that requires US airlines to certify that pilot hiring is based solely on experience and aptitude. This move comes after the Department of Transportation rolled back diversity, equity, and inclusion programs implemented under the previous administration.
The new “Operations Specification” requires airlines to formally attest that pilots are selected on merit alone. This measure aims to increase transparency between passengers and airlines and ensure that the pilot behind the controls is the most qualified individual for the job.
Duffy stated, “When families board their aircraft, they should fly with confidence knowing the pilot behind the controls is the best of the best. The American people don’t care about the pilot’s appearance or gender – they just care that they are the most qualified person for the job.
The move has received support from Airlines for America, the industry’s top lobbying group. They have stated that their carriers comply with all federal regulations and laws, including those related to qualifications, training, and licensing.
This directive follows the Department of Transportation’s recent decision to cut over $943 million in grants, including funding for electric vehicle infrastructure in California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota. The move is in line with President Trump’s executive orders aimed at ending discrimination and restoring merit-based standards.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a subagency of the DOT, has also committed to eliminating DEI offices and contracts while simultaneously raising pilot training standards. This comes after lawsuits alleging that air traffic controller applicants were rejected based on race.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford emphasized the importance of passenger safety, stating, “At the FAA, the safety of passengers is our number one priority. It is a bare minimum expectation for airlines to hire the most qualified individual when making someone responsible for hundreds of lives at a time.
Bedford also added that someone’s race, sex, or creed has no bearing on their ability to fly and land aircraft safely.
During a recent briefing, Bedford tied these efforts to funding in President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which includes $12. 5 billion for modernizing the aging air traffic control system. According to the DOT, 40% of legacy copper wiring has already been replaced, and 612 new radar systems are planned for installation by June 2028.
The New York Post reported exclusively on this new directive, sharing a tweet from the publication’s official Twitter account. The move has been well-received and is seen as a step towards improving the safety and transparency of the airline industry.