Airports Urge DOT to Enhance Protections for 'All' Passengers

The Airports Council International - North America issued the following news release:

Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) Executive Vice President, Policy and External Affairs Debby McElroy today addressed the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection at their first meeting to offer the airport perspective on air traveler rights and protections.

McElroy's statement (http://www.aci-na.org/sites/default/files/aci-na_mcelroy_june_28_statement_final.pdf) emphasized that because airports are the 'public face of aviation' in hundreds of communities throughout the United States, airports have a stake in resolving shortcomings that impact the passenger experience.

"It is important to understand that failure to meet consumers' needs often has root causes that also have a significant impact on airport operations and facilities, whether the problem involves providing timely and accurate information, on-time departure or arrival performance, baggage handling or resolving extended tarmac delays, improvements to any or all of these areas would help airports more effectively serve passengers, airlines and cargo services," McElroy said.

McElroy also urged the Committee to recommend that DOT take action to provide all passengers the same level of protection.

"ACI-NA believes it is long overdue for DOT to expand delayed and mishandled baggage reporting, as well as provisions related to oversales and denied boarding compensation, to all commercial airlines, not just those 'covered carriers' that account for at least one percent of domestic scheduled passenger revenue," she explained. "There is no justification for providing consumer protections only to those traveling on the nation's largest airlines. All passengers deserve the customer service, passenger protections and legal rights afforded by DOT regulations," she concluded.

The Committee, established by the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act, will evaluate existing aviation consumer protection programs as well as recommend needed improvements. The four-seat committee includes Deborah Ale Flint, ACI-NA Board Member and director of aviation at Oakland International Airport.

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