Senate Approves $105 Billion FAA Bill to Enhance Air Safety and Traveler Services
Just before the expiration of the existing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) law, the Senate has passed a critical $105 billion bill aimed at enhancing air safety and improving services for travelers. This bipartisan measure, approved by an overwhelming 88-4 vote, seeks to address various issues, including the recent series of close calls at airports across the nation.
The legislation includes several key provisions designed to boost the number of air traffic controllers, enhance safety standards, and simplify the process for travelers to obtain refunds after delays or cancellations. To prevent any lapse in the FAA’s authority, which was set to expire at midnight on Friday, the Senate also passed a one-week extension that the House had previously approved, allowing time for further consideration next week.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) highlighted that the bill would provide the FAA with the stability needed to advance aviation safety and make air travel more accessible and convenient. Among the notable safety improvements, the bill mandates that new airline planes be equipped with cockpit voice recorders capable of saving 25 hours of audio, significantly more than the current requirement of two hours.
Additionally, the legislation aims to bolster customer service by mandating airlines to issue refunds for flights delayed by three hours or more for domestic routes and six hours or more for international routes. Recent revisions to the bill also shift the responsibility from customers to airlines to initiate these refunds, aligning with new regulations introduced by the Biden administration.
The bill also seeks to enhance the travel experience for families and passengers with disabilities. It prohibits airlines from charging extra fees for families to sit together and increases the fines for airlines that violate consumer laws. Furthermore, it requires the Transportation Department to create a comparative “dashboard” for consumers to view seat sizes across different airlines and mandates airlines to accommodate seating requests related to disabilities.
The legislative package faced delays due to objections over a provision that would allow an additional 10 daily flights at Reagan Washington National Airport. This provision sparked a debate among senators from Virginia and Maryland, who opposed the increase due to safety concerns and the airport’s limited size. Despite attempts to amend this aspect of the bill, the majority of lawmakers pushed forward without changes to ensure timely passage.
The final passage of the bill was seen as a critical step in addressing the FAA’s challenges and ensuring the safety and convenience of air travel. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the importance of resolving legislative objections to pass the bill, stating that it was essential for providing Americans with peace of mind when flying.
The bill now moves to the House for further discussion, with expectations high for continued bipartisan support to finalize the measures designed to significantly improve the FAA’s operations and the overall safety and efficiency of the aviation sector.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, apnews.com