Thu, Apr 29, 2010
Airlines Face Major Fines For Long Tarmac Delays
Air travelers must no longer be subjected to lengthy tarmac
delays on domestic flights and will enjoy additional consumer
protections as a result of a new rule that take effect Thursday.
"Airline passengers deserve to be treated fairly, and this new rule
will require airlines to respect the rights of their customers,"
said U.S. Transportation Secretary Secretary LaHood.
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.
Secretary Ray LaHood
Secretary LaHood said the new rule should not lead to large
increases in the number of canceled flights, as some have
predicted. "Everyone knows the rules going in - the
passengers and the airlines. We expect carriers to take steps
to avoid tarmac delays and cancellations by adjusting their
schedules and providing timely information to passengers," he
said. "A little extra planning will minimize disruptions
while ensuring that passengers are not trapped aboard airplanes
indefinitely."
The rule limiting tarmac delays was adopted in response to a
series of incidents in which passengers were stranded on the ground
aboard aircraft for lengthy periods.
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. The Department plans to
issue a notice of proposed rulemaking within the next several
months to further strengthen protections for air travelers.
Among the areas under consideration are further requirements
pertaining to tarmac delays and requirements relating to disclosure
of baggage and other fees, and full-fare
advertising.
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