(a) The Regional Airports Division Manager may amend any airport certification manual or any airport certification specifications approved under this part, either --

(1) Upon application by the certification holder; or

(2) On the Regional Airports Division Manager's own initiative if the Regional Airports Division Manager determines that safety in air transportation or air commerce and the public interest require the amendment.

(b) An applicant for an amendment to its airport certification manual or its airport certification specifications shall file its application with the Regional Airports Division Manager at least 30 days before the proposed effective date of the amendment, unless a shorter filing period is allowed by that office.

(c) At any time within 30 days after receiving a notice of refusal to approve the application for amendment, the certificate holder may petition the Administrator to reconsider the refusal to amend.

(d) In the case of amendments initiated by the Regional Airports Division Manager, the office notifies the certificate holder of the proposed amendment, in writing, fixing a reasonable period (but not less than 7 days) within which the certificate holder may submit written information, views, and arguments on the amendment. After considering all relevant material presented, the Regional Airports Division Manager notifies the certificate holder of any amendment adopted or rescinds the notice. The amendment becomes effective not less than 30 days after the certificate holder receives notice of it, except that prior to the effective date the certificate holder may petition the Administrator to reconsider the amendment, in which case its effective date is stayed pending a decision by the Administrator.

(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (d) of this section, if the Regional Airports Division Manager finds that there is an emergency requiring immediate action with respect to safety in air transportation or air commerce that makes the procedures in this paragraph impractical or contrary to the public interest, the Regional Airports Division Manager may issue an amendment, effective without stay on the date the certificate holder receives notice of it. In such a case, the Regional Airports Division Manager incorporates the finding of the emergency, and a brief statement of the reasons for the finding, in the notice of the amendment. Within 30 days after the issuance of such an emergency amendment, the certificate holder may petition the Administrator to reconsider either the finding of an emergency or the amendment itself or both. This petition does not automatically stay the effectiveness of the emergency amendment.