PUBLIC NOTICE
Federal Communications Commission
445 12
th
St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
DA 16-110
Released:  January 29, 2016
FCC ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF 
TRANSPORTATION ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR COORDINATION OF 
AVIATION COMMUNICATIONS SAFETY AND SECURITY ISSUES
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT) have agreed to establish a Federal Interagency Working Group (Working 
Group) to more effectively collaborate and coordinate with other relevant agencies on issues that 
intersect their respective domains, including the safe and secure use of consumer 
communications onboard domestic commercial aviation.  This agreement builds on the 
productive, collaborative interagency coordination efforts in recent years as aviation 
communications safety and security concerns have emerged.
The DOT’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the FCC will co-chair the 
Working Group, with the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau coordinating efforts 
within the FCC.  The Working Group’s primary mission will be to harmonize policy and 
regulatory activities regarding safe and secure communications and aviation while maintaining 
the independent policy-making responsibilities of each agency.  In addition to FAA and FCC 
subject matter and regulatory experts, Federal Government representatives from law 
enforcement, intelligence, defense, national and homeland security agencies will participate in 
the Working Group to identify, analyze, discuss, and make recommendations regarding steps that 
are needed to ensure the continued safe and secure use of consumer communications technology 
onboard domestic commercial aircraft.  The Working Group will also invite other relevant 
Federal Government entities to participate, as appropriate, and will keep these organizations 
informed of significant conclusions.
The Working Group will meet on a quarterly basis or at other times as circumstances 
dictate.  It is anticipated that the topics discussed will be of significant interest to a number of 
agencies.  Broad interagency participation will be encouraged and will help in the coordination 
of regulatory activities, where appropriate, with other Federal Government missions.
2Members of industry, trade groups and associations, academia, outside subject matter 
experts, and representatives of state, local, tribal, and territorial governments may be invited by 
the Chairs to make presentations to the Working Group, but will not be members of the Working 
Group nor participate in policy discussions.
For additional information about the agreement, please contact Kenneth Burnley, 
Attorney Advisor, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, at (202) 418-0664 or 
kenneth.burnley@fcc.gov.
- FCC –