The Federal Aviation Administration announced new directives Friday mandating that commercial airlines adopt merit-based hiring practices for pilots, formally ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring programs.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the measure ensures passengers fly with the most qualified personnel. “When families board their aircraft, they should fly with confidence knowing the pilot behind the controls is the best of the best,” Duffy said. “The American people don’t care what their pilot looks like or their gender, they just care that they are the most qualified man or woman for the job.”

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford emphasized the directive’s focus on safety. “It is a bare minimum expectation for airlines to hire the most qualified individual when making someone responsible for hundreds of lives at a time. Someone’s race, sex, or creed has nothing to do with their ability to fly and land aircraft safely,” he said.

The FAA release noted that although the agency has already raised performance standards, eliminated DEI offices and contracts, and rescinded previous directives it described as unnecessary, allegations persist that some airlines have continued to consider race or sex in hiring pilots. Airlines failing to comply with the merit-based hiring requirement “will be subject to federal investigation,” the directive stated.

The FAA highlighted that air safety depends on pilot knowledge and proficiency. Federal regulations already mandate rigorous training and qualification standards, and the agency said effectiveness is enhanced when new hires possess verified technical knowledge, cognitive skills, and prior piloting experience suited to their airline’s operational environment.

The Trump administration previously issued executive orders eliminating DEI programs in federal agencies, with efforts underway to extend similar principles to the private sector.

Airlines for America, representing carriers including American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines, responded that “safety is, and always will be, the top priority for U.S. airlines,” noting that all member carriers already comply with federal regulations regarding training, licensing, and qualifications.