Boxer, Snowe Praise DOT Action to Protect Passenger Rights

Washington, DC – United States Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) today praised Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s announcement of anew rule to protect airline passengers rights that include much of their legislation, the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights.

Specifically, the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) rule limiting tarmac delays includes three central components of the Boxer-Snowe Airline Passenger Bill of Rights:

-         Airlines must give passengers the option to deplane after they have been stuck on the tarmac for three hours.
-         Airlines must provide food, water, access to medical treatment and working restrooms while passengers are trapped on the tarmac.
-         Airlines must provide passengers with delay information on their websites as well as information on how to make formal complaints.

Senator Boxer said, “This is a victory for passengers who have been mistreated, and I thank Secretary LaHood for acting to protect passengers rights. This shows that the Department of Transportation understands that no passenger should ever be held captive for hours on an airplane without food, water or sufficient restrooms. As good as this rule is, it doesn't give passengers permanent protection because it could be overturned by a future administration. That is why we will keep working to see that the Boxer-Snowe Airline Passenger Bill of Rights becomes law.”

Senator Snowe said, “Although this announcement is welcome news and a strong step forward towards protecting the rights of the flying public, we can do more to guarantee the American people have some level of accountability, some minimum standard in place, which is why it is imperative Congress enact the Passenger Bill of Rights legislation that I have introduced along with Senator Boxer this year. I commend Secretary LaHood and the Department of Transportation for taking action to address this critical issue and stand ready to work with my colleagues in the Senate to ensure this measure is brought to the floor for a vote.”

Earlier this month, Senators Boxer and Snowe asked Secretary LaHood to incorporate their legislation into this rule. A copy of their letter can be found here.

Senators Boxer and Snowe first introduced their Airline Passenger Bill of Rights in 2007 following several incidents at airports where passengers were forced to remain on airplanes for as long as 11 hours. In 2008, a Federal appeals court struck down a New York State law protecting passengers from long tarmac delays saying these protections must be enacted at the federal level. The Boxer-Snowe Airline Passengers Bill of Rights is currently pending before the full Senate as part of the FAA Reauthorization bill.

DOT also announced a second rulemaking process that could require airlines to submit plans for addressing long tarmac delays to DOT for review and approval. The Boxer-Snowe legislation would require DOT to approve airlines contingency plans for these delays.

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