The Senate recently passed a bill to enhance air safety and customer service. It puts pressure on the aviation industry to absorb increased costs and to avoid fines and other penalties for noncompliance.
This $105 billion bipartisan bill comes as a response to a series of close calls between planes at the nation’s airports.
Boosting safety standards
One of the bill’s primary focuses is to increase the number of air traffic controllers, a move aimed at improving safety standards. Additionally, the bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration to put in place new technology to prevent collisions between planes on runways. These measures are important for air travel safety, especially in busy airports.
Improving customer service and refund policies
The bill will also improve customer service for flyers. It requires airlines to pay a refund to customers for flight delays. For domestic flights, customers may receive a refund if the delay exceeds three hours. For international flights, the threshold is six hours. These changes aim to make airlines more accountable for delays.
Enhancing the travel experience
Besides the refund policies, the bill includes several other provisions to improve the overall travel experience. It prohibits airlines from charging extra for families to sit together, a common complaint among travelers. The bill also triples the maximum fines for airlines that violate consumer laws, further incentivizing airlines to focus on customer satisfaction.
The bill passed the Senate and will move to the House for further consideration. The Senate also passed a one-week extension to ensure that the FAA will not have to furlough around 3,600 employees while the House reviews the bill. Despite the pressure on the airline industry, this bill represents a significant step forward in enhancing air safety and customer service.
