REP. MIKE THOMPSON ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO PASS AIR PASSENGER BILL OF RIGHTS
February 1, 2012
Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today announced that an agreement has been reached between House and Senate leaders to pass the Air Passenger Bill of Rights. The Air Passenger Bill of Rights will make sure airlines meet their responsibility to passengers by ensuring that passengers are given the option to deplane after excessive delays, and requiring that fliers are provided with basic necessities, including access to food and water, comfortable cabin temperatures, and adequate restroom facilities.
“Passengers have rights - and because of this legislation those rights are now protected by law,” said Thompson. “While I am disappointed that excessive delay was not defined as being three hours or more, I am confident that we can build on these new protections to make sure passengers are treated with dignity and respect when they fly.”
On Tuesday night, House and Senate leaders announced that they have reached an agreement on long-term Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) legislation to improve the nation's aviation infrastructure, modernize our air traffic control system, and reform FAA programs. The Passenger Bill of Rights is included in this legislation and will become law when it is voted on by Congress and then signed by the President.
Currently, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has rules in place saying that passengers must be given the opportunity to deplane after excessive delays and are provided with basic necessities. However, these rules can be rescinded now, or at any time in the future under a current or future administration. The DOT rules also do not require the airports themselves to have emergency contingency plans for meeting these rules. Now with the Air Passenger Bill of Rights written in law, as Thompson has fought for, it ensures that consumers are guaranteed these protections now and in the future.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
“Passengers have rights - and because of this legislation those rights are now protected by law,” said Thompson. “While I am disappointed that excessive delay was not defined as being three hours or more, I am confident that we can build on these new protections to make sure passengers are treated with dignity and respect when they fly.”
On Tuesday night, House and Senate leaders announced that they have reached an agreement on long-term Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) legislation to improve the nation's aviation infrastructure, modernize our air traffic control system, and reform FAA programs. The Passenger Bill of Rights is included in this legislation and will become law when it is voted on by Congress and then signed by the President.
Currently, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has rules in place saying that passengers must be given the opportunity to deplane after excessive delays and are provided with basic necessities. However, these rules can be rescinded now, or at any time in the future under a current or future administration. The DOT rules also do not require the airports themselves to have emergency contingency plans for meeting these rules. Now with the Air Passenger Bill of Rights written in law, as Thompson has fought for, it ensures that consumers are guaranteed these protections now and in the future.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
# # #