Air TransportHorizon Air seeks deadline extension for cockpit barrier rule
Horizon Air has asked U.S. regulators for additional time to comply with a new Federal Aviation Administration requirement mandating secondary cockpit barriers on newly manufactured large passenger aircraft, according to a filing first reported by FlightGlobal.
In a 13 February letter to the FAA, the Portland-based regional carrier requested a 12-month extension beyond the current August 2026 compliance deadline. The rule requires installation of “physical secondary barriers” designed to enhance cockpit security, part of regulatory measures introduced after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
The FAA had originally required the barriers on aircraft manufactured after 25 August 2025, but later agreed to delay implementation by one year following industry requests citing certification and training timelines.
Horizon operates 47 Embraer 175 regional jets. According to the airline’s submission, Embraer informed the carrier in December 2025 that the manufacturer’s already certified E175 secondary barrier cannot be installed on Horizon’s aircraft due to differences in cabin configuration.
Embraer’s certified design was developed for E175 aircraft equipped with a forward wardrobe in the service area, which provides the necessary structure to stow the barrier when not deployed. Horizon’s aircraft instead feature a galley in that position, lacking the forward-facing surface required to install the barrier’s stowage box.
The manufacturer is now modifying the barrier to accommodate Horizon’s configuration and expects regulatory approval for the revised design in July. Embraer anticipates making retrofit kits available by September, according to the filing, raising concerns that Horizon may not have sufficient time to secure training approvals and complete crew training before the current compliance deadline.
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