FAA Seeks Comments on Operations Specifications Part 129 Application Renewal

Regulations.gov Final Notices

Published March 18th, 2026

Detected March 20th, 2026

Summary

The FAA is seeking public comments on its intention to request OMB approval to renew an existing information collection related to operations specifications for foreign air carriers. This collection ensures foreign carriers can safely navigate the U.S. airspace. The renewal process follows a prior notice published in January 2026, which received no comments.

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What changed

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a notice requesting public comments on the renewal of an information collection concerning operations specifications for foreign air carriers (14 CFR Part 129). This renewal aims to ensure continued compliance with safety standards for foreign carriers operating within the U.S. National Airspace System. The FAA is seeking feedback on the necessity, accuracy of burden estimates, and potential enhancements to the collection process. The current information collection, OMB Control Number 2120-0749, was last subject to a 60-day comment period in January 2026, with no comments received.

Foreign air carriers and foreign persons applying for or holding operations specifications are the primary respondents. The FAA is asking for comments on aspects such as the necessity of the collection, accuracy of estimated burdens (27 hours for new applicants, 47 hours for existing), and ways to improve clarity and minimize burden. While this is a renewal of an existing collection, the underlying regulations were established by a final rule in 2011. The comment period for this notice closes on April 20, 2026. Compliance officers should review the specific requirements and consider submitting comments if they identify any issues with the collection or its associated burden.

What to do next

Review the information collection requirements for foreign air carriers operating under 14 CFR Part 129.
Consider submitting comments on the necessity, burden, and clarity of the collection by April 20, 2026.
Ensure internal processes align with the requirements detailed in FAA Order 8900.1 Volume 12, Chapter 4.

Source document (simplified)

Content

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew information collection. The
Federal Register
Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on January
16th, 2026. There were no comments. The FAA assesses the information collected and issues operations specifications to foreign
air carriers. These operations specifications assure the foreign air carrier's ability to navigate and communicate safely
within the U.S. National Airspace System.

DATES:

Written comments should be submitted by April 20, 2026.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication
of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using
the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Danuta Pronczuk by email at: danuta.pronczuk@faa.gov; phone: 202-267-0923. In the email subject enter: seeking further information on Docket No. FAA-2025-0703.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including (a) Whether the proposed collection of information
is necessary for FAA's performance; (b) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (c) ways for FAA to enhance the quality, utility
and clarity of the information collection; and (d) ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of
the collected information.

OMB Control Number: 2120-0749.

Title: Operations Specifications, Part 129 Application.

Form Numbers: There are no FAA forms associated with this collection. Information needed by the FAA is publicly viewable in the Dynamic
Regulatory System (DRS). Once in DRS go to: FAA Order 8900.1 Volume 12, Chapter 4.

Type of Review: Renewal of an information collection.

Background: The
Federal Register
Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on January
16, 2026 (91 FR 2268). The final rule published in 2011, clarified and standardized the rules for applications by foreign
air carriers and foreign persons for operations specifications issued under 14 CFR part 129 and established standards for
amendment, suspension and termination of those operations specifications. The final rule also applied to foreign air carriers
and foreign persons operating U.S.-registered aircraft in common carriage solely outside the United States. This action was
necessary to update the process for issuing operations specifications, and it established a regulatory basis for current practices,
such as amending, terminating, and suspending operations specifications.

Respondents: Approximately 36 new applicants annually and 511 existing foreign air carriers and foreign persons annually.

Frequency: Information is collected on occasion.

Estimated Average Burden per Response: 27 Hours for new applicants. 47 hours for existing applicants.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 972 hours for new applicants and 24,017 hours for existing applicants.

Issued in Washington, DC on March 18, 2026. Carl N. Johnson, Division Manager, International Program Division, Flight Standards Service. [FR Doc. 2026-05510 Filed 3-19-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P