Surf Air Mobility Completes Implementation of Safety Management System for Part 135 Airline Operations

Key Terms

safety management system technical

A safety management system is an organized set of policies, procedures and tools a company uses to identify, reduce and monitor risks that could harm people, assets or operations. Like a home's smoke detectors, fire plan and routine checks working together, it helps prevent accidents, ensures regulatory compliance and limits costly shutdowns or lawsuits—factors that directly affect a company's costs, reputation and long-term value for investors.

sms technical

SMS stands for Short Message Service, the technology used to send brief text messages to mobile phones. For investors, SMS matters because companies use it to deliver fast, direct updates—like earnings alerts, trading notices or shareholder reminders—so it can move market sentiment quickly; at the same time it creates needs for accurate disclosure, permission-based opt-ins and recordkeeping, similar to sending an official postcard that must be truthful and saved for records.

part 135 regulatory

Part 135 is the section of U.S. aviation regulations that governs on-demand and small commercial air operations, such as charter flights, air taxis and some commuter services. For investors, Part 135 status signals the level of safety oversight, operating limits, insurance requirements and costs a company faces—think of it like a business license tier that dictates what routes, aircraft and customers a carrier can serve and how much it costs to run safely and legally.

Southern Airways Express is one of only nine Part 135 commuter operators to have confirmed an operational SMS, completing implementation a year ahead of the FAA’s May 2027 mandate.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Surf Air Mobility Inc. (NYSE: SRFM) (“Surf Air Mobility” or the “Company”), a leading air mobility platform, today announced that the Company’s airline operations, through its Southern Airways Express operating certificate, have submitted a declaration of 14CFR Part 5 compliance signifying the completion of the Company’s Safety Management System (“SMS”) implementation. This milestone represents a major achievement for the Company’s Part 135 commuter operations, underscoring the Company's long-standing commitment to operating at the highest standards of safety.

Southern Airways Express is one of only nine Part 135 commuter operators to have confirmed an operational SMS, completing implementation a year ahead of the FAA’s May 2027 mandate.

An SMS is a formal, organization-wide approach to managing safety and risk. The Company’s SMS reflects years of investment in developing a strong safety culture, monitoring and measuring performance data, implementing enhanced software systems, and enhancing operational discipline.

The implementation of the SMS applies to the Company’s scheduled Part 135 commuter operations. Through the Company’s sub-brands, Southern Airways and Mokulele Airlines, the operations connect communities across the U.S. via one of the largest regional aviation networks in the country, carrying approximately 300,000 passengers annually on more than 60,000 scheduled departures. The SMS also supports the Company’s Surf On Demand charter business by establishing processes that ensure all third-party operator partners are comprehensively vetted for safety and compliance.

Surf Air Mobility believes early implementation of an SMS provides a meaningful advantage as the Company uses its platform to launch flight operations with electric aircraft. Establishing these processes early enables proactive risk management, standardized operations, and a strong foundation for safe, reliable execution as new aircraft are introduced and operations scale.

Louis Saint-Cyr, President Airlines of Surf Air Mobility, said: “Safety is the foundation of our business. Our Safety Management System enhances our ability to deliver safe, reliable regional air service across our operations and provides a strong operational foundation as we prepare to integrate electric aircraft into our network.”

Surf Air Mobility’s SMS provides a structured framework for proactively identifying hazards and managing risk before operations are affected. Key functions and benefits of an SMS include:

• Systematically identifying hazards, assesses risk, detecting emerging trends, and implementing controls to mitigate them before incidents occur.
• Continuously monitoring operational performance through data collection, audits, and analysis to verify that risk controls are working as intended.
• Establishing clear management commitment, accountability, and organizational structure for safety across every level of the company.
• Driving a positive safety culture through training, communication, and employee engagement, including confidential reporting programs.
• Enhancing confidence for passengers, employees, and partners, reinforcing Surf Air Mobility's position as a trusted operator in regional aviation.

About Surf Air Mobility

Surf Air Mobility is a Los Angeles-based air mobility platform. With its AI-enabled SurfOS™ software and electrification programs, Surf Air Mobility provides technology designed to support the modernization of air operations and the adoption of next-generation aircraft. The Company currently operates one of the largest commuter airlines in the United States by scheduled departures, which provides operational scale and real-world operating data to validate and deploy its software. Together, these capabilities position Surf Air Mobility as a leader shaping a more efficient, connected, and accessible future for aviation.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Press Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding Surf Air Mobility’s ability to achieve its business objectives. Readers of this release should be aware of the speculative nature of forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the beliefs of the Company’s management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company and reflect the Company’s current views concerning future events. As such, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among many others: Surf Air Mobility’s ability to anticipate the future needs of the air mobility market; Surf Air Mobility’s future ability to pay contractual obligations and liquidity will depend on operating performance, cash flow and ability to secure adequate financing; and the inability to execute business objectives and growth strategies successfully or sustain Surf Air Mobility’s growth. These and other risks are discussed in detail in the periodic reports that the Company files with the SEC, and investors are urged to review those periodic reports and the Company’s other filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, before making an investment decision. The Company assumes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements except as required by law.

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Surf Air Mobility Media Contacts
Press: press@surfair.com
Investors: investors@surfair.com

Source: Surf Air Mobility Inc.