Congresswoman Hirono Supports Plan to Protect Airline Passengers’ Rights, Make Travel Easier
Bill Requires Airlines and Airports to Assist Delayed Travelers
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Subcommittee on Aviation, supported new legislation to protect the rights of passengers, improve airline service and protect delayed travelers. The legislation -- the FAA Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2881) -- was approved last week by the Committee on Thursday by the full House by a vote of 267-151.
"Air travel is important to Hawai‘i as a link for island residents to the U.S. mainland and elsewhere, and most of the 7 million plus visitors to our state arrive by air. So delayed flights and poor service have very negative impacts on our travelers, as well as travelers everywhere," said Congresswoman Hirono. "The legislation we have passed will help prevent passengers from being stuck on the runway for hours at a time, will make flying a little bit easier for everyone and will help protect passenger rights."
The legislation approved by the House 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 for deplaning after a lengthy delay. These plans must account for the provision of food, water, clean restrooms and medical care for passengers. Additionally, the bill calls for strict fines for airlines that fail to develop or comply with these plans.
The bill also includes provisions to reduce over-scheduling of flights -- one source of chronic flight delays -- and establishes a hotline for consumers to lodge complaints against particular airlines and airports with the Department of Transportation. It also requires the Transportation Department to investigate more consumer complaints, including flight cancellations, overbooking, baggage concerns and other issues.
"These simple, commonsense solutions will help modernize our airlines and airports and give travelers some of the rights they deserve when they fly," added Congresswoman Hirono.
The FAA Reauthorization Act also helps modernize air traffic control systems across the country and increases the number of aviation safety inspectors by more than one-third to make flying safer for everyone.
Additionally, the bill will help reduce global warming by requiring the development of cleaner, quieter, more efficient engines and aircraft and establishing pilot programs to reduce idling times for aircraft, and apply promising environmental research at airports.
The Senate is currently working on its version of the FAA reauthorization bill.
###
