Senators push for stronger airline consumer protections after outages
September 18, 2024 | Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation
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In a recent government meeting, lawmakers emphasized the urgent need for enhanced consumer protections in the airline industry, particularly in light of recent disruptions caused by IT outages and cyber incidents. The discussions highlighted the importance of Congress and the Department of Transportation (DOT) implementing policies that would allow consumers to recover losses incurred due to flight delays and cancellations, especially when these incidents occur through no fault of their own.
Key proposals included codifying DOT's authority to enforce delay compensation regulations and ensuring that stolen airline miles receive the same protections as stolen money. Lawmakers argued that consumers should be compensated for lost airline miles, which they consider a form of financial loss.
Senator Markey pointed to the significant disruptions caused by a recent CrowdStrike IT outage, which, while not a cyber attack, exposed vulnerabilities in the airline industry's IT systems. He noted that thousands of travelers were left confused about their rights during such disruptions. The FAA Reauthorization Act, which includes provisions for automatic refunds in cases of flight delays or cancellations, was highlighted as a critical step forward. However, reports indicated that airlines were not fully complying with these requirements.
The conversation also touched on the broader implications of flight disruptions, with lawmakers stressing that the impact on travelers extends beyond mere ticket refunds. They called for airlines to provide cash compensation for significant delays and cancellations, similar to regulations in Europe. This would ensure that consumers are not left to bear the financial burden of missed events or lost income due to airline failures.
The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for improved communication from airlines regarding passenger rights and options during disruptions. Lawmakers expressed their commitment to working with both consumer advocacy groups and the airline industry to establish more robust protections for travelers.
Key proposals included codifying DOT's authority to enforce delay compensation regulations and ensuring that stolen airline miles receive the same protections as stolen money. Lawmakers argued that consumers should be compensated for lost airline miles, which they consider a form of financial loss.
Senator Markey pointed to the significant disruptions caused by a recent CrowdStrike IT outage, which, while not a cyber attack, exposed vulnerabilities in the airline industry's IT systems. He noted that thousands of travelers were left confused about their rights during such disruptions. The FAA Reauthorization Act, which includes provisions for automatic refunds in cases of flight delays or cancellations, was highlighted as a critical step forward. However, reports indicated that airlines were not fully complying with these requirements.
The conversation also touched on the broader implications of flight disruptions, with lawmakers stressing that the impact on travelers extends beyond mere ticket refunds. They called for airlines to provide cash compensation for significant delays and cancellations, similar to regulations in Europe. This would ensure that consumers are not left to bear the financial burden of missed events or lost income due to airline failures.
The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for improved communication from airlines regarding passenger rights and options during disruptions. Lawmakers expressed their commitment to working with both consumer advocacy groups and the airline industry to establish more robust protections for travelers.
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