FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 21, 2009

ACI-NA Applauds New DOT Rule to Better Protect Passengers

Washington — Greg Principato, president of Airports Council International-North America, commended the Department of Transportation (DOT) for today issuing a new rule providing protections for passengers experiencing extended delays.

“Airports have long advocated that airline passengers have the right to deplane after an extended amount of delay on a runway, and ACI-NA supported a requirement for airlines to develop such  deadlines,” said Principato.  “We are pleased that DOT will now require domestic airlines to deplane passengers after a three-hour delay and that food and drinking water must be provided within two hours of begin delayed.”

Principato also urged DOT to move quickly to finalize other regulations under consideration, to provide additional passenger protections.  He noted that airport operators have been supporting passengers on this issue, urging DOT to require all airlines – regardless of the size of their aircraft –  to develop contingency plans which are incorporated into their contract of carriage.  Also, given the important role of airports during lengthy tarmac delays, ACI-NA strongly supports adoption of a mandate that airlines be required to coordinate their plans with all airports at which they provide scheduled or charter service.

ACI-NA has long been active on airline passenger rights, facilities and finances. In 2008, ACI-NA participated in a DOT national task force of airlines, airports and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop contingency plans to address delays. The Task Force successfully produced a plan that addresses several issues raised by industry and passenger advocates, Principato said. A number of airports already had implemented measures in the Plan.  ACI-NA also filed comments with DOT supporting enhanced protections for passengers, such as increased compensation for delayed or cancelled flights and lost baggage.

About ACI-NA
Airports Council International - North America represents local, regional and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America.  More than 325 aviation-related businesses are also members of the association, which is the largest of the five worldwide regions of Airports Council International.

CONTACT:
Sheila Owens, sowens@aci-na.org, (202) 861-8098
Victoria Houghton, vhoughton@aci-na.org, (202) 861-8080