|
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) announced today that he is
co-sponsoring H.R. 6355, the Air Service Improvement Act of 2008. This legislation is designed to address air passenger rights and aviation consumer protection and was introduced by Congressmen James Oberstar (D-MN) and Jerry Costello (D-IL).
If passed into law, the legislation will require airlines and large- and medium-hub airports to file emergency contingency plans. The plans will require air carriers to detail how they will provide food, water, restroom facilities, airplane cabin ventilation, and medical treatment for passengers onboard an airplane that is on the ground for an extended period of time without access to a terminal. Airports will have to detail how facilities and gates will be shared.
Airlines will be required to update these emergency plans every three years, while airports will have to update their plans every five. The Secretary of Transportation will review and approve each plan. Once approved, if airlines do not comply with the plans, the air carriers will be subject to a penalty of $25,000 per day of non-compliance.
The bill also directs the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to establish and advertise a consumer complaints hotline number as well as collect and publish data pertaining to cancelled and diverted airline flights.
|
|
