Are runway safety mandates coming? How FAA and EASA may shape cockpit alert regulations by 2026

Why are regulators preparing to mandate cockpit-based runway safety alert systems by 2026?

Aviation regulators in the United States and Europe are preparing to mandate the integration of cockpit-based runway safety alert systems in newly built aircraft, with potential implications for retrofit programs as well. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are expected to finalize guidance within the next 12 to 24 months that could require flight decks to be equipped with predictive alert technologies such as Honeywell International Inc.’s (NASDAQ: HON) SmartRunway or similar systems.

These developments come in response to a noticeable increase in serious runway incursions and surface navigation errors, including several high-profile close calls in 2024 and early 2025. Aviation safety investigators and industry stakeholders are now converging around the idea that real-time cockpit alerts—when paired with existing ground-based systems—can provide pilots with critical situational awareness during the most hazardous phases of flight: taxi, takeoff, and landing.

The prospect of regulatory action is drawing attention from major aerospace technology vendors, including Honeywell International Inc., Collins Aerospace, and Thales Group, all of which are preparing to meet anticipated demand for next-generation avionics software platforms tailored for runway safety.

What recent runway incidents have accelerated regulatory timelines for cockpit alert system mandates?

The urgency around cockpit-based runway safety alert systems grew substantially after a series of near-miss incidents at major U.S. airports. In March 2025, a Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) Boeing 737 aircraft mistakenly initiated a takeoff roll on a taxiway at Orlando International Airport before aborting at high speed. This followed earlier close calls in Chicago and Austin, prompting investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

According to FAA data, more than 1,600 runway incursions were reported in the U.S. in 2023 alone, including 19 classified as serious. This marked the highest number of high-severity events since 2016. Regulators also noted a disturbing pattern: many of these incidents involved situational confusion during low-visibility conditions or air traffic congestion—both of which are addressable via cockpit-based alert systems.

These events have added momentum to long-standing calls from safety experts and pilots for software-based systems that proactively warn crews if they are aligned with the wrong runway, approaching at excessive speed or altitude, or attempting takeoff from non-designated surfaces.

How are the FAA and EASA shaping the regulatory roadmap for mandatory cockpit alert technology?

In late 2024, the FAA’s Investigative Technologies Aviation Rulemaking Committee published formal recommendations suggesting that cockpit alerting technologies be mandated in all newly certified commercial aircraft beginning in 2026. These recommendations include four key alert categories: wrong-surface alignment, incorrect runway, insufficient runway length, and on-runway traffic detection.

While no Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) has yet been issued, the FAA has indicated that it is evaluating the feasibility of implementation in coordination with aircraft manufacturers, airlines, and avionics suppliers. EASA is expected to follow with parallel recommendations, though possibly on a slightly delayed schedule.

If enacted, the mandates would likely apply to new aircraft deliveries post-2026, with retrofit requirements for existing fleets left to carrier discretion or phased in through incentives. The FAA has emphasized that retrofitting entire fleets would require significant cost-benefit validation, but experts suggest financial outlays may be modest relative to the safety gains and liability protection offered by cockpit alert systems.

What role is Honeywell International playing in the shift toward cockpit-based runway safety systems?

Honeywell International Inc. has emerged as one of the frontrunners in the cockpit runway safety alert market. Its SmartRunway and SmartLanding software systems are already deployed across more than 700 aircraft operated by Southwest Airlines Co., the largest Boeing 737 fleet operator globally. These systems operate on top of Honeywell’s Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), which is already standard on most commercial jets.

The aerospace technology provider is also testing its next-generation Surface Alerts (SURF-A) system, which uses GPS and ADS-B data to detect real-time runway conflicts. Certification for SURF-A is expected in 2026, positioning Honeywell to benefit from any new mandates that incorporate dynamic, traffic-aware alerting features.

In 2024, Honeywell’s aerospace segment generated approximately USD 15.3 billion in revenue, with retrofit avionics and flight deck modifications accounting for a growing share of its high-margin software portfolio. Analysts tracking Honeywell note that software-enabled safety systems like SmartRunway offer a scalable retrofit opportunity with low installation costs and minimal disruption to operations.

How are airlines and aircraft manufacturers responding to the possibility of cockpit alert mandates?

Southwest Airlines Co. became an early adopter of Honeywell’s SmartRunway system, implementing the software across its 737 fleet even in the absence of a federal requirement. Alaska Airlines and Ryanair have also deployed cockpit alert systems, reflecting a growing trend among safety-conscious carriers to invest in real-time flight deck enhancements.

Aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus have yet to standardize runway alert systems in new aircraft builds, though both offer cockpit alerting options as part of their avionics customization menus. If mandates are finalized by the FAA or EASA, OEMs may need to redesign cockpit systems to include certified alerting software as a baseline feature for airworthiness certification.

Several regional and low-cost carriers may face short-term capital expenditure pressure if retrofits are incentivized but not fully subsidized. However, the industry’s post-pandemic recovery and strong 2025–2026 passenger growth projections have allowed many operators to resume discretionary safety upgrades.

What are the cost and compliance implications of runway alert retrofits versus new aircraft integration?

According to aviation industry analysts, installing cockpit alert software on an existing commercial aircraft can cost between USD 15,000 and USD 40,000 per unit—far lower than the capital-intensive upgrades associated with ground-based radar systems or aircraft replacement cycles.

The majority of narrow-body aircraft already include the EGPWS platform, making SmartRunway-style software overlays cost-effective and minimally disruptive. Most installations require only a software enablement and brief pilot training via electronic flight bag (EFB) modules.

While these figures represent a fraction of an airline’s operating budget, the FAA is expected to offer phased compliance targets or voluntary adoption incentives to minimize financial stress, especially for regional and emerging-market carriers.

What do industry analysts expect for the runway safety technology market over the next five years?

Industry watchers anticipate that cockpit-based runway alert systems will become a standard safety component in most commercial aircraft by 2030, driven by a mix of regulatory action, voluntary adoption, and market competition among avionics suppliers.

Honeywell International Inc. is expected to benefit from first-mover advantage and brand credibility, particularly if SURF-A certification is finalized ahead of its rivals. Competitors such as Collins Aerospace and Thales Group are reportedly developing similar platforms with enhanced ADS-B functionality and pilot interface integration, but are likely to enter the market in 2026 or later.

From an investor standpoint, the runway safety segment is seen as a margin-accretive software layer within the broader aerospace value chain. Honeywell’s upcoming aerospace spin-off, prompted in part by activist investor Elliott Investment Management, is likely to position SmartRunway and SURF-A as cornerstone products in a high-growth, high-return segment of its restructured portfolio.

How might global compliance timelines differ across regions beyond the FAA and EASA jurisdictions?

While the FAA and EASA are leading the regulatory agenda, other aviation authorities such as Transport Canada, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India are monitoring U.S. and European developments closely.

Regulatory harmonization through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) could result in staggered compliance models, where new aircraft delivered after 2027 or 2028 in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa include runway alert systems by default.

As regional airlines modernize aging fleets and governments prioritize air traffic safety, cockpit alerting tools are expected to become a key requirement for route access to international hub airports and for insurance and audit compliance.

How does the shift toward cockpit-based runway safety reflect broader aviation safety trends?

The push for cockpit alert mandates aligns with a broader movement in commercial aviation toward predictive, software-defined safety systems. Just as Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS) and Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning Systems became mandatory decades ago, real-time runway awareness tools may soon follow the same trajectory.

With high-profile incidents, mounting public pressure, and supportive institutional sentiment from NTSB, FAA, and pilot unions, the conditions for regulatory enforcement are gradually taking shape. For both airlines and avionics suppliers, early adoption may not only improve safety margins but also strengthen reputational equity and operational resilience in a risk-sensitive industry.