Convenience at a price? Regulators reviewing rise of public charter flights like JSX

PHOENIX (AZFamily)— How about arriving at the airport twenty minutes before your flight? No long lines, no TSA screening—sounds good, right? While the concept might sound enticing, some are raising concerns about the safety, security, and noise associated with these public charter flights.

“JSX is a hop-on public charter jet service,” Ben Kaufman, JSX’s Senior Director of Marketing & Customer Strategy said.

JSX offers jets with just 30 seats and no overhead bins, allowing passengers to check in shortly before their flight.

“We help people avoid the long lines and congestion typical of larger airports,” Kaufman explained.

Since moving from Sky Harbor to Scottsdale Airport in January, JSX has faced some opposition from neighbors. These neighbors said they’ve noticed more noise.

“We’ve been fighting this for years,” Leora Dorna, a neighbor said of expansion at the airport.

During the first half of 2024, statistics from the City of Scottsdale show there have been more than 500 complaints from 122 people.

“Recently it’s definitely increased and there are some larger jets that have been coming out. It kinda shakes the house a little bit,” Heather Siersma, a neighbor said.

Kaufman said JSX has studied this at other airports and insisted their company is not the problem.

“It sounds like you’re saying that they might be hearing other planes thinking they’re JSX?” Investigative Reporter Amy Cutler asked Kaufman. “It’s certainly a possibility,” he responded.

Noise isn’t the only controversy.

Safety and Regulatory Concerns

JSX’s rapid expansion—from 641 flights on six routes to nearly 35,000 flights on 48 routes—has sparked scrutiny over its operational safety. JSX is called an on-demand public charter. Unlike commercial airlines, JSX and similar public charter services do not have to meet the same safety and security requirements. But they’re not supposed to specify flight times or cities.

To get around that, JSX is made up of two companies. The first makes the flight schedule and sells tickets. The other flies the planes on specific routes at set times and dates.

Arizona’s Family Investigates asked Kaufman about the loophole and these safety concerns.

“What we would say back to them is to look at the legislation. There is no loophole here at all,” he responded.

Jason Ambrosi, president of the Airline Pilots Association, International, the largest pilot union in the world, disagreed.

“Just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s safe,” Ambrosi said.

Ambrosi has concerns, noting that JSX can hire pilots over the mandatory retirement age of 65 and employ those with as few as 250 flight hours. Compare that to the 1,500 hours required for commercial pilots.

Dr. Joe Leader with the Airline Passenger Experience Association said they support JSX.

“Do you really want someone who’s going to be flying your commercial aircraft dusting crops all the way up to 1500 hours (about 2 months) or would you prefer that pilot go from 500 to 1500 hours in a smaller aircraft,” Dr. Leader said.

Another sticking point is security at the terminal. There’s no TSA.

“Airline passengers should be able to board a plane and trust that they have the same level of safety and security regardless of how big of a city they fly in or out of,” Ambrosi said.

Instead, JSX employees swab passenger bags and check IDs when people arrive. Before boarding the flight, their ID is checked a second time, and they go through a weapons detector.

“This is the future of the TSA, right now what we’re using is the same type of sniffer devices and other advanced technologies that you’re going to see airports deploy nationwide,” Dr. Leader said.

“Our plan even though we are executing it ourselves with our crew members it is TSA approved and TSA vetted, every step of the way,” Kaufman explained.

However, regulators are taking a closer look. The FAA is reviewing the rules for public charter operators like JSX, citing their “size, scope, and frequency.” They’re coordinating with the TSA.

“Now that it is exploding, and you have other operators requesting permission for similar things and explode in this manner. It’s going to start a run to the bottom,” Ambrosi said.

In response, Kaufman emphasized that JSX adheres to all relevant regulations, saying, “We operate within the confines of well-regarded, time-tested regulation.”

The City of Scottsdale declined to be interviewed on camera, instead providing a written statement:

Looking Ahead

Despite the controversies, JSX is continuing to expand. They’re adding two destinations in the coming months.

The FAA and TSA were invited to take part in this story but declined. They confirm that JSX is one of 19 carriers potentially impacted by new regulations.

Any rule change would also affect Contour Airlines, which runs out of Phoenix Sky Harbor and takes people to small cities like Page in Northern Arizona.

The City Manager of Page was one of nearly 60,000 comments sent to the FAA about possible rule changes. He said the service provides a lifeline to his small community and that changes would make air travel inaccessible for not only residents but visitors to his community.

He also noted that there have been no indications that these operations are unsafe or inconsistent with federal aviation regulations.

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