The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has submitted a report to the U.S. Transportation Secretary regarding the enhancement of human organ transport on commercial airlines. This initiative is in response to a mandate from the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act, which required the establishment of a working group to tackle perceived regulatory challenges and develop best practices for transporting organs in passenger cabins.
The working group, assembled by the FAA, included representatives from various sectors such as the Department of Transportation, Transportation Security Administration, Health Resources & Services Administration, airlines, organ procurement organizations, transplant hospitals, couriers, patient advocates, and unions representing flight attendants and pilots. Together with stakeholders from both the transplant community and aviation industry, they proposed 20 recommendations aimed at improving this process.
Among these recommendations were two directed specifically at the FAA. The agency has implemented both suggestions: publishing guidance that clarifies the regulatory framework allowing organ transport in passenger cabins and recommending training for crew members. Additionally, the FAA has launched a website serving as an information hub for those involved in air-based organ transportation.
