US Aircraft Registry: Title 49 Privacy Problem?
- Stéphane Leclair
- 34 minutes ago
- 2 min read
You may have noticed it is a little more difficult to ascertain ownership for some airport customers with US registrations. Effective May 2024, a new section of U.S. law—49 U.S.C. § 44114—quietly changed how much information the FAA may share about private aircraft owners and operators.
For many in aviation, the Title 49 Aircraft registry privacy change looks like a win for privacy. But for those of us in airport billing, revenue management, and ground-handling operations, this new rule creates a challenge that can complicate how we identify, invoice, and collect from private aircraft operators.
At AASI, we’ve been following the rollout of § 44114 closely. Here is what you need to know.
Private aircraft owners can now request the FAA to hide their personal details (like name, address, email, and phone) associated with their aircraft’s registration number from public view in the FAA registry.
The aircraft for owners who have requested privacy under this law will appear as follows in the FAA registry
As of 2025, fewer than 1% of all U.S. registered aircraft (around 2,000) have requested privacy under this law.
80% of aircraft that have requested privacy are generally not billable aircraft (Privately owned, Piston Engine, <2001kg)
The FAA’s implementation of § 44114 marks a growing tension between the need for operational transparency and the increasing emphasis on privacy rights in aviation. This shift creates a challenging balance for private aircraft owners seeking discretion and for airport operators who depend on ownership transparency to assess and collect necessary fees that keep airports running safely and efficiently.
While many private aircraft are exempt from certain airport fees, expanding privacy protections could further complicate operations and billing. Achieving a sustainable balance will require collaboration among regulators, aircraft operators, and airport authorities worldwide.
We’d love to hear how your organization is navigating these changes. How have you addressed privacy-related challenges or adapted your procedures? Share your experiences with us at support@alfaaero.com.
And if you encounter these aircraft at your airport, we encourage you to open a service ticket through the AARMS support portal—the ALFA Aero team may be able to assist.
