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14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 139.101 

Subpart B—Certification 

§ 139.101 General requirements. 

(a) Except as otherwise authorized by 

the Administrator, no person may op-
erate an airport specified under § 139.1 
of this part without an Airport Oper-
ating Certificate or in violation of that 
certificate, the applicable provisions, 
or the approved Airport Certification 
Manual. 

(b) Each certificate holder shall 

adopt and comply with an Airport Cer-
tification Manual as required under 
§ 139.203. 

[Docket No. FAA–2000–7479, 69 FR 6424, Feb. 
10, 2004, as amended by Docket No. FAA– 
2010–0997;Amdt. No. 139–28, 88 FR 11672, Feb. 
23, 2023] 

§ 139.103 Application for certificate. 

Each applicant for an Airport Oper-

ating Certificate must— 

(a) Prepare and submit an applica-

tion, in a form and in the manner pre-
scribed by the Administrator, to the 
Regional Airports Division Manager. 

(b) Submit with the application, two 

copies of an Airport Certification Man-
ual, and a Safety Management System 
Manual (where applicable), prepared in 
accordance with subparts C and E of 
this part. 

[Docket No. FAA–2000–7479, 69 FR 6424, Feb. 
10, 2004, as amended by Docket No. FAA– 
2010–0997;Amdt. No. 139–28, 88 FR 11672, Feb. 
23, 2023] 

§ 139.105 Inspection authority. 

Each applicant for, or holder of, an 

Airport Operating Certificate must 
allow the Administrator to make any 
inspections, including unannounced in-
spections, or tests to determine com-
pliance with 49 U.S.C. 44706 and the re-
quirements of this part. 

§ 139.107 Issuance of certificate. 

An applicant for an Airport Oper-

ating Certificate is entitled to a cer-
tificate if— 

(a) The applicant provides written 

documentation that air carrier service 
will begin on a date certain. 

(b) The applicant meets the provi-

sions of § 139.103. 

(c) The Administrator, after inves-

tigation, finds the applicant is properly 

and adequately equipped and able to 
provide a safe airport operating envi-
ronment in accordance with— 

(1) Any limitation that the Adminis-

trator finds necessary to ensure safety 
in air transportation. 

(2) The requirements of the Airport 

Certification Manual, as specified 
under § 139.203. 

(3) Any other provisions of this part 

that the Administrator finds necessary 
to ensure safety in air transportation. 

(d) The Administrator approves the 

Airport Certification Manual. 

§ 139.109 Duration of certificate. 

An Airport Operating Certificate 

issued under this part is effective until 
the certificate holder surrenders it or 
the certificate is suspended or revoked 
by the Administrator. 

§ 139.111 Exemptions. 

(a) An applicant or a certificate hold-

er may petition the Administrator 
under 14 CFR part 11, General Rule-
making Procedures, of this chapter for 
an exemption from any requirement of 
this part. 

(b) Under 49 U.S.C. 44706(c), the Ad-

ministrator may exempt an applicant 
or a certificate holder that enplanes 
annually less than one-quarter of 1 per-
cent of the total number of passengers 
enplaned at all air carrier airports 
from all, or part, of the aircraft rescue 
and firefighting equipment require-
ments of this part on the grounds that 
compliance with those requirements is, 
or would be, unreasonably costly, bur-
densome, or impractical. 

(1) Each petition filed under this 

paragraph must— 

(i) Be submitted in writing at least 

120 days before the proposed effective 
date of the exemption; 

(ii) Set forth the text of §§ 139.317 or 

139.319 from which the exemption is 
sought; 

(iii) Explain the interest of the cer-

tificate holder in the action requested, 
including the nature and extent of re-
lief sought; and 

(iv) Contain information, views, or 

arguments that demonstrate that the 
requirements of §§ 139.317 or 139.319 
would be unreasonably costly, burden-
some, or impractical.