Summary FAA amending rule lifting the requirement for non-smoking sign switch functionality on aircraft. United Airlines previously grounded A321neos over inability to turn off non-smoking signs. New rule change allows for exemptions without needing to physically alter aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration is amending a rule that required “No Smoking” signs to be able to turn off. Finally changing the rules The “no-smoking” sign regulation which required the the non-smoking sign to have the functionality to turn off, is being lifted. In a filing from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the regulator stated it would amend the rules, which recently led United Airlines to ground its Airbus A321neos .
The ruling will be effective 60 days after date of publication in the federal register. Currently, the Federal Aviation Administration requires that airlines have the ability to turn off the non-smoking signs on aircraft, even though smoking has been prohibited since the 1990s. According to the filing, current regulations were drafted when the Department of Transportation (DOT) permitted smoking at times on commercial flights.
Since smoking has been banned for years, there is no longer a need to uphold this regulation. Six months ago, when United grounded its A321neos because crew could not turn off the non-smoking signs, the airline requested an exemption. This was granted and within a few days, United was able to resume its flights.
After United filed for an.