Passengers pass a flight status board in Terminal C at Orlando International Airport that shows multiple delays, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, after the FAA halted all U.S. flights for the day.
Joe Burbank | Tribune News Service | Getty Images
Two Senate Democrats on Tuesday reintroduced legislation to strengthen airline passenger security after one year travel disruption it was covered in chaos thousands stranded People in December holidays.
Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Edward Markey of Massachusetts are trying gain traction on two bills It aims to expedite passenger refunds and reduce airline fees during flight disruptions, ranging from seating assignments to checked bags and carry-ons. Arabs for the airline industry.
The Airline Passengers Bill of Rights, co-sponsored by Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse, DR.I., Bob Casey, D-Pa., Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., also sought a minimum compensation of $1,350 for passengers hit by the oversold flight. Currently, airlines can compensate up to $1,550 for those delays, according to the Department of Transportation.
His effort to get the law approved comes a month after Southwest Airlines Some 16,700 flights were canceled from 21 December to 31 December, as its internal crew rebooking system was unable to handle the many flight changes from bad weather. motivate officers To slash the schedule. Southwest said last week that it has processed nearly all reimbursement requests but declined to provide further details.
Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., plans to hold hearings on the latest airline disruptions in the coming weeks.
They follow a push by the Bill Biden administration for stricter airline passenger rules, including passenger refunds.
Airlines for America, its members said, the largest US carriers, “abide by — and often exceed — all DOT regulations regarding consumer protection.”
“The policies proposed in this bill – establishing government-controlled pricing, establishing a private right of action and dictating private sector contracts – would drastically reduce competition, leading to subsequent increases in airfare prices and the loss of small and There will be potential cuts in services for rural communities.” the industry group said in a statement.