Regulatory Alert: FAA Requests Feedback on Removal of Aircraft Registration Information from Public Dissemination
April 3, 2025
Today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a request for comment on the potential impacts of removing certain aircraft registration data from public access on its websites, including search tools and published reports.
Last Friday, in accordance with a provision in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, FAA began allowing private aircraft owners to request that FAA block their personal information, such as names and addresses, from public display on FAA websites by submitting a privacy request through the Civil Aviation Registry Electronic Services (CARES) system. However, aircraft owners and operators may still access their own registration information. FAA is now seeking industry input on the broader implications of removing the following categories of data from public view:
- The mailing address or registration address of the registered owner(s);
- An electronic address (including an email address) of a registered owner(s);
- The telephone number of a registered owner(s); and
- The name(s) of the aircraft owner(s).
Notably, FAA has not yet clarified how individuals or organizations with a legitimate need would be able to access this information once it is no longer publicly available.
To support the development of our response, we are asking members to complete a survey by Friday, April 11, to help us understand potential implications of the changes for airport operators. The FAA’s deadline for submitting comments is Monday, May 5.
Background. FAA’s recent change to the registration database and request for comment align with section 803 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which directs the agency to establish privacy protections for private aircraft owners and operators by restricting public access to certain personally identifiable information (PII). FAA was required to establish a formal process by May 16, 2026, allowing individuals to request the removal of their PII, including names, mailing addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, from publicly accessible platforms.
This provision overrides other federal statutes, including relevant Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provisions, to prioritize individual privacy. However, FAA is still authorized to share this information with government agencies through a contract or agreement for purposes like air traffic management.
AAAE Survey and Input Request. To support the development of our response, we are asking members to complete a survey by Friday, April 11. The survey includes the following questions to gather airport-specific input, which are based on questions raised by FAA in the request:
- How often does your airport access aircraft owner or operator information, and for what specific purposes (e.g., billing, operations, tenant management, safety coordination)?
- If the FAA removes names, addresses, and contact details from public access, what impacts, positive and negative, could that have on your airport’s ability to manage operations, ensure safety, or conduct business with aircraft owners?
- Would limited access to aircraft ownership information affect your ability to carry out routine functions such as verifying based aircraft, coordinating maintenance or safety issues, or meeting regulatory requirements?
- From your perspective, what would be a reasonable or practical way for FAA to implement these privacy changes while still supporting legitimate operational needs at airports?
- Should this privacy policy apply automatically to all private aircraft owners, or only if an individual owner opts in? Would your airport be affected differently depending on the approach?
- Are there other types of aircraft registration information (beyond names, addresses, emails, or phone numbers) that you believe should also be considered for removal, or that you think should remain accessible for airport use?
What’s Next? FAA is inviting feedback from industry stakeholders on the impact of removing this information from public access. AAAE staff will review all survey responses and compile industry input to shape the association’s comments. All comments must be submitted to FAA by Monday, May 5.
