Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following remarks on a new rule taking effect today that will protect domestic air travelers from lengthy tarmac delays on domestic flights and provide additional consumer protections.  Congressman Dingell has pushed for a Passenger Bill of Rights since 2000, when he authored a bill by that name, and has co-sponsored similar legislation in subsequent Congresses.

“Americans have been frustrated with the condition of air travel for some time.  While this doesn’t solve every problem with air travel, these new consumer protection rules will ensure that passengers are treated fairly when flying and have information up front about chronically delayed flights.  We won’t hear of horror stories of small children and seniors trapped on planes for hours without food, water or proper plumbing, or stranded in airports for days on end.  I applaud the Administration and particularly the Department of Transportation for putting people first in this latest decision.”

According to the Department of Transportation press release: “Under the new rule, U.S. airlines operating domestic flights may not permit an aircraft to remain on the tarmac at large and medium hub airports for more than three hours without deplaning passengers, with exceptions allowed only for safety or security reasons or if air traffic control advises the pilot in command that returning to the terminal would disrupt airport operations.  U.S. carriers operating international flights departing from or arriving in the United States must specify, in advance, their own time limits for deplaning passengers, with the same exceptions applicable.  Carriers are required to provide adequate food and potable drinking water for passengers within two hours of the aircraft being delayed on the tarmac and to maintain operable lavatories and, if necessary, provide medical attention. 

“The rule also:

• Prohibits the largest U.S. airlines from scheduling chronically delayed flights, subjecting those that do to DOT enforcement action for unfair and deceptive practices; 
• Requires U.S. airlines to designate an airline employee to monitor the effects of flight delays and cancellations, respond in a timely and substantive fashion to consumer complaints and provide information to consumers on where to file complaints;
• Requires U.S. airlines to adopt customer service plans and audit their own compliance with their plans; and
• Prohibits U.S. airlines from retroactively applying material changes to their contracts of carriage that could have a negative impact on consumers who already have purchased tickets. 
  “In addition, beginning at the end of July, airlines will be required to display on their website flight delay information for each domestic flight they operate.”

For more information on your rights as a passenger, please go to the Aviation Consumer Protection and Enforcement web site.

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