Legislation aimed to boost PAX protections

Advocates for airline passengers are asking lawmakers in the United States to strengthen consumer protection after a recent spate high summer season cancellations and delays that have stranded many on the tarmac and in the terminals.

Both versions of bills that reauthorize operations of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration require airlines to develop emergency contingency plans and the House of Representatives version approved at the end of June requires airlines to develop guidelines for how passengers will be provided food, water, restroom facilities and cabin ventilation if they are waiting to take off for long periods.

Consumer advocates, speaking to Congressional Quarterly, point to the weather delays and stranded passengers on JetBlue and American Airlines and go back to a 1999 winter incident in Detroit that involved Northwest Airlines.

Kate Hanni, founder of the Coalition for Airline Passengers Bill of Rights said that the legislation does not go far enough. Some say the legislation should also include requirements that passengers be allowed to deplane after a set amount of time, according to Congressional Quarterly. The bills currently passing the Congress are House Resolution 2881 and Senate Resolution 1300.