Millions of Americans were unable to enjoy their holidays — and some even their early January travel plans — destroyed due to glitches in computer systems at airlines and severe weather interruptions An array of senators is attempting to pass legislation to protect passengers.
Democrat Sens. Edward Markey of Massachusetts and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut have proposed the Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights which requires airlines to reimburse tickets and pay passengers for cancellations and delays caused by airlines.
Companies will be liable for a minimum sum of $1,350 for passengers who are denied entry due to an overbooked flight. They will also be accountable for reimbursements and compensation when airlines cause delays or cancellations. If bags become damaged or lost, airlines must pay immediately for refunds of baggage fees.
“This legislation will ensure that passengers receive the protections for consumers they are entitled to,” Blumenthal said in the press announcement that announced the bill. “This law will create specific, binding regulations for airlines to follow placing the needs of passengers first and making sure that the skies are safe.
He said: “The Southwest Airlines debacle is only the latest instance of the urgent need for greater protections for passengers, as flying has become increasingly complicated, uncertain and uncomfortable for travelers.”
Southwest Airlines canceled more than 16,000 flights between Christmas and New Year.
If the bill is approved, it could also bring about the end of smaller seat sizes at most until Department of Transportation implements a minimum size of seat. In addition, parents won’t be charged additional for choosing to sit with the children when they travel.
Other consumer protections that seek to make flying like it’s “humane,” would require airlines to:
- Offer refunds on tickets and alternative transportation in the event of delays to flights between one and four hours.
- Refunds for tickets, alternate transportation Compensation, and also take care of the cost of accommodation and meals (as necessary) in the event of delays to flights that are more than four hours.
- Don’t make use of weather to justify delays and cancellations which are in fact the fault of airlines.
In the meantime the DOT will be required accountable in the following ways:
- Determining the reasons why it has not been able to impose sanctions on airlines that violate the rights of passengers.
- Initiating a joint study together with consumer groups about the possibility of a system in which airline fines are paid directly to the passengers.
- Eliminating the penalty cap airlines are charged for breaking consumer protection laws and stopping airlines from negotiating low hand-wringing fines for the most egregious behaviour.
The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee is planning to organize public hearings in the coming weeks on what happened in the aftermath of Southwest airline crash. Members of Congress will also be investigating the issue with the computer system which led to the computer systems of FAA malfunction and caused over 10,000 flight delays or cancelled.
With regard to the new passengers’ Bill of Rights, the industry’s leaders and organizations are fighting back. Airlines for America is the trade organization that represents the majority of America’s airlines, has called the plans “short and ill-informed,” saying it “would undoubtedly increase costs and limit options for consumers.”
“The federal government needs to be focusing on 21 21st century procedures and policies that propel the nation’s aviation system forward, instead of taking steps that could restrict access and cost for the consumer,” the group said in an declaration.
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