Sat, May 01, 2010
Flyers Rights Announces Launch Of New Application To Record
Flight Status
As new rules regarding tarmac delays went into effect Thursday,
National Airline Passenger Rights Advocate and Executive Director
of FlyersRights.org, Kate Hanni announced the launch of a new
application that can provide real time data on the status of their
flights via GPS. Hanni also expressed concern impact of a proposed
ban on cellular communications and Voice Over Internet Protocol
(VoIP) in the House version of the pending FAA reauthorization
legislation that could curtail the rights of passengers to use new
technologies while on board commercial aircraft.
"It is essential that airline passengers are empowered with the
latest applications and in-flight technology to ensure that the
airlines are accountable and full compliance with the new 3 Hour
Tarmac Rule, going into effect today at the Department of
Transportation," said Hanni (below). "Passengers in the U.S. should
be allowed to avail themselves of in-flight connectivity and
technology to capture, record, and transmit information vital to
the enforcement of their new rights."
With the new application, available on FlyersRights.org
website, the GPS component of the iPhone will be able to pinpoint a
passenger's location and the passenger will confirm location.
The passenger will be able to input their airline and flight
information into a centralized database and update their status in
terms of delays or cancellations while in flight. Passengers will
also be able to take photos, video and audio recordings and attach
them to the record in real time.
The House of Representatives version of the FAA bill, passed
last year, contains language that would ban the usage of cellular
communications and VoIP on commercial aircraft in U.S. airspace.
The recently passed Senate version of the FAA legislation contains
no ban. Currently, 20 international air carriers, flying to 72
nations around the world are equipped with in-flight cellular
service -- with over 2.3 million passengers a month flying on
aircraft with the service.
"The enforcement and protection of rights of people around the
globe have become increasingly dependent upon the transmission of
data and images in real time thanks to cellular technology," added
Hanni. "Rather than ban it outright, Congress should allow the FAA
and the FCC to evaluate the use of in-flight voice service and
connectivity as a valuable tool for passengers in the U.S. taking
into account potential benefits to consumers and the real world
experience of its deployment throughout the rest of the world."
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