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WASHINGTON – On Thursday the House of Representatives voted to pass HR 2881, the House Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization.
The bill requires airlines and airports to have emergency contingency plans to take care of passengers who are involved in long flight and tarmac delays, including plans on deplaning after a lengthy delay.
These plans must account for the provision of food, water, clean restrooms and medical care for passengers. The Department of Transportation can fine those who fail to develop or comply with these plans.
“Today, the House sent a clear message to the flying public: everyone has a right to be treated decently and fairly while on a plane or in an airport, especially during excessive delays,” Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena), who authored the bill, said in a written statement.
“For too long, we’ve heard story after story of paying customers being subjected to uncomfortable and sometimes unsafe conditions when flights are delayed or canceled,” Thompson said. “Right now, airline passengers aren’t guaranteed access to clean drinking water, food, bathrooms or medical care. They can also be held on a plane for hours on end against their will.”
Thompson said he found those conditions unacceptable, which is why he introduced the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights (HR 1303) in March. That bill requires airlines to provide passengers with the basic necessities during delays and allows passengers to get off the plane when delays became excessive.
Thursday's House vote on those key provisions in the FAA Reauthorization bill is a big step toward securing passenger rights, Thompson reported.
“The inclusion of passenger rights in the FAA Reauthorization bill is a big win,” Thompson stated. “However, we must make sure this legislation not only becomes law, but also does the job. We’ll be keeping a close watch on whether the airlines use this as opportunity to improve the way they treat passengers.”
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In addition, the legislation includes another provision from Thompson’s bill, which will require airlines to provide passengers with food, clean drinking water, usable bathrooms, proper ventilation and medical care during delays.
“This is a tremendous victory for everyone who flies,” said Thompson. “Right now, passengers have no assurance that they’ll be given basic necessities when planes are delayed. They could be kept on planes against their will for hours and hours. I introduced the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights because I believe passengers deserve to be treated decently and fairly when they fly, especially when there are excessive delays. The language in the FAA Reauthorization is a huge step toward making that happen.”
Since Thompson introduced HR 1303 in March, excessive airplane delays have continued and the public’s outrage has grown. With the help of the Coalition for an Airline Passenger Bill of Rights, Thompson has added 49 Members of the House as co-sponsors to his bill.
Inclusion of HR 1303’s key provisions in the FAA Reauthorization demonstrates Congress’ determination to improve the airlines’ treatment of passengers, and it is a victory for the flying public.
“Millions of Americans depend on the airlines for work and pleasure, and we want to make sure they can continue to serve us,” added Thompson. “I think this bill will help the airlines by providing an industry standard for the treatment of passengers.”
A manager’s amendment to the FAA Reauthorization requires the airlines and airports to submit their plans for handling delays to the Department of Transportation (DOT); however, the DOT may establish minimum standards for the plans. Within nine months of the date of enactment, the Secretary of the DOT shall review, approve or require modifications to the plans. If the airlines or airports do not follow their plans, the DOT can impose civil penalties.
“I thank the thousands of people who have joined our effort to create a Passengers Bill of Rights, especially the Coalition for an Airline Passengers Bill of Rights,” said Thompson. “We now need to focus on getting these critical provisions through the House and Senate conference and onto the president’s desk.”
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
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