Horizon Air Seeks 12-Month Extension for FAA Cockpit Barrier Rule

Horizon Air has formally requested a 12-month extension from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to comply with the upcoming secondary cockpit barrier rule, citing design complications with its fleet of Embraer 175 aircraft. The request, detailed in a letter dated February 13, 2026, pushes the proposed compliance date for the regional carrier well into 2027, impacting a key aviation safety regulation.

This delay highlights ongoing challenges for airlines and manufacturers in meeting the deadline for installing Installed Physical Secondary Barriers (IPSB), a critical post-9/11 security enhancement. For Horizon Air, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group, the issue stems from a design incompatibility identified by Embraer, which affects the airline's ability to meet the current August 25, 2026, compliance date for its Embraer 175 cockpit security.

Core Facts and Regulatory Context

According to the airline's letter to the FAA, Embraer notified Horizon in December 2025 that the certified E175 barriers would not be usable on its specific aircraft configuration. Horizon Air operates 47 Embraer 175 aircraft, according to Cirium fleet data, all of which require the retrofit. The secondary barrier is a lightweight gate installed between the flight deck and the cabin, designed to block unauthorized access when the main cockpit door is open during flight.

The mandate for these barriers originates from the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, leading to the FAA's Final Rule on Secondary Flight Deck Barriers issued in June 2023. The original compliance deadline of August 2025 was already extended by one year to August 2026 after trade groups cited supply chain and certification delays. Pilot unions like the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) have consistently advocated for the swift implementation of these barriers, expressing disappointment with previous delays.

What Comes Next

Embraer is currently developing a modified barrier design to fit Horizon's aircraft. According to information cited by FlightGlobal, the manufacturer anticipates receiving regulatory approval for the new design in July 2026. Following approval, the retrofit kit is expected to become available for installation by September 2026. Horizon Air's request for a 12-month extension accounts for the time needed to procure the kits and cycle its entire E175 fleet through maintenance for the installation, a process critical for the airline's safety compliance.

Key Takeaways

• Requests a 12-month extension to meet the FAA's secondary cockpit barrier rule.
• Cites design incompatibility of certified barriers for its 47 Embraer 175 aircraft.
• Expects a modified barrier design to receive regulatory approval by July 2026.
• Follows a previous industry-wide one-year delay to the rule's original 2025 deadline.

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