Jul
11
US House Passenger Rights Bill
Filed Under Airlines, Legislation, News
Leaders of the US House of Representatives have introduced legislation called the Air Service Improvement Act of 2008. This act is different from the bill stalled in the Senate in that it separates passenger rights from FAA funding.
The bill requires airlines and airports to maintain emergency plans for providing stranded customers with required services or face a $25,000-a-day fine. It would also require airlines to regularly report delay and aiport diversions. It requires the Transportation Dept. to maintain a hot line for consumer complaints and to investigate those complaints.
The bill is expected to pass, and at the same time the Senate is also preparing a similar bill. More details can be found here. Air carriers appear to think that it would be best for them to police themselves.
