II
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 213
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 12, 2009
Mrs. Boxer (for herself and Ms. Snowe) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to ensure air passengers have access to necessary services while on a grounded air carrier, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as
the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights
Act of 2009
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Airline customer service commitment
In general
Chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Airline Customer Service
Air carrier and airport contingency plans for long on-board tarmac delays
Definition of tarmac delay
The term tarmac delay means the holding of an aircraft on the ground before taking off or after landing with no opportunity for its passengers to deplane.
Submission of air carrier and airport plans
Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act of 2009, each air carrier and airport operator shall submit, in accordance with the requirements under this section, a proposed contingency plan to the Secretary of Transportation for review and approval.
Minimum standards
The Secretary of Transportation shall establish minimum standards for elements in contingency plans required to be submitted under this section to ensure that such plans effectively address long on-board tarmac delays and provide for the health and safety of passengers and crew.
Air carrier plans
The plan shall require each air carrier to implement at a minimum the following:
Provision of essential services
Each air carrier shall provide for the essential needs of passengers on board an aircraft at an airport in any case in which the departure of a flight is delayed or disembarkation of passengers on an arriving flight that has landed is substantially delayed, including—
adequate food and potable water;
adequate restroom facilities;
cabin ventilation and comfortable cabin temperatures; and
access to necessary medical treatment.
Right to deplane
In general
Each air carrier shall submit a proposed contingency plan to the Secretary of Transportation that identifies a clear time frame under which passengers would be permitted to deplane a delayed aircraft. After the Secretary has reviewed and approved the proposed plan, the air carrier shall make the plan available to the public.
Delays
In general
As part of the plan, except as provided under clause (iii), an air carrier shall provide passengers with the option of deplaning and returning to the terminal at which such deplaning could be safely completed, or deplaning at the terminal if—
3 hours have elapsed after passengers have boarded the aircraft, the aircraft doors are closed, and the aircraft has not departed; or
3 hours have elapsed after the aircraft has landed and the passengers on the aircraft have been unable to deplane.
Frequency
The option described in clause (i) shall be offered to passengers at a minimum not less often than once during each successive 3-hour period that the plane remains on the ground.
Exceptions
This subparagraph shall not apply if—
the pilot of such aircraft reasonably determines that the aircraft will depart or be unloaded at the terminal not later than 30 minutes after the 3 hour delay; or
the pilot of such aircraft reasonably determines that permitting a passenger to deplane would jeopardize passenger safety or security.
Application to diverted flights
This section applies to aircraft without regard to whether they have been diverted to an airport other than the original destination.
Reports
Not later than 30 days after any flight experiences a tarmac delay lasting at least 3 hours, the air carrier responsible for such flight shall submit a written description of the incident and its resolution to the Aviation Consumer Protection Office of the Department of Transportation.
Airport plans
Each airport operator shall submit a proposed contingency plan under subsection (b) that contains a description of—
how the airport operator will provide for the deplanement of passengers following a long tarmac delay; and
how, to the maximum extent practicable, the airport operator will provide for the sharing of facilities and make gates available at the airport for use by aircraft experiencing such delays.
Updates
The Secretary shall require periodic reviews and updates of the plans as necessary.
Approval
In general
Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Transportation shall—
review the initial contingency plans submitted under subsection (b); and
approve plans that closely adhere to the standards described in subsections (d) or (e), whichever is applicable.
Updates
Not later than 60 days after the submission of an update under subsection (f) or an initial contingency plan by a new air carrier or airport, the Secretary shall—
review the plan; and
approve the plan if it closely adheres to the standards described in subsections (d) or (e), which ever is applicable.
Civil penalties
The Secretary may assess a civil penalty under section 46301 against any air carrier or airport operator that does not submit, obtain approval of, or adhere to a contingency plan submitted under this section.
Public access
Each air carrier and airport operator required to submit a contingency plan under this section shall ensure public access to an approved plan under this section by—
including the plan on the Internet Web site of the carrier or airport; or
disseminating the plan by other means, as determined by the Secretary.
Air passenger complaints hotline and information
Air passenger complaints hotline telephone number
The Secretary of Transportation shall establish a consumer complaints hotline telephone number for the use of air passengers.
Public notice
The Secretary shall notify the public of the telephone number established under subsection (a).
Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section, which sums shall remain available until expended.
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Conforming amendment
The chapter analysis for chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
SUBCHAPTER IV—Airline Customer Service
41781. Air carrier and airport contingency plans for long on-board tarmac delays.
41782. Air passenger complaints hotline and information.
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