What is the relationship between Part 139 certification and daily airport operations?

• A. Part 139 sets safety certification for airports serving air carriers and requires ongoing compliance in daily operations
• B. Part 139 governs aircraft maintenance schedules
• C. Part 139 defines security procedures for passenger screening
• D. Part 139 applies only to cargo facilities

Answer: (A)

Part 139 certifies airports that serve scheduled air carriers and requires ongoing compliance in daily operations. It sets the safety standards that an airport must meet to maintain its certification, and those standards shape how the airport runs every day—from runway and taxiway maintenance, lighting and signage, and emergency planning to crash/fire rescue readiness, wildlife hazard management, incident reporting, and routine inspections. FAA surveillance ensures the airport keeps these safety programs active, up-to-date, and properly documented; any significant changes or safety concerns can trigger re-inspection or action to suspend or revoke certification. This is why it directly impacts daily operations: keeping facilities, equipment, and procedures aligned with Part 139 requirements is an ongoing responsibility for certified airports. It doesn’t cover aircraft maintenance schedules, which fall under other regulations; it isn’t about security screening procedures handled by TSA, and it isn’t limited to cargo facilities.