Fair and Open Skies Act

The Fair and Open Skies Act requires the U.S. government to evaluate whether foreign airlines' operations might undermine U.S. labor standards - such as fair wages and working conditions - when reviewing their applications for operating permits in the United States. It amends two sections of U.S. aviation law (49 U.S.C. §40101 and §41302) to add "preventing the undermining of labor standards" as a mandatory factor in the permit approval process. This directly affects foreign air carriers seeking to operate flights to, from, or within the U.S., as they must now demonstrate that their business practices align with U.S. labor protections. The bill does not alter existing permit fees or procedural steps but introduces a new policy consideration for government decision-makers.