The US Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to further enhance protections for airline passengers on 4 June 2010.

There are two main issues proposed in the NPRM: the adoption of tarmac delay contingency plans and customer service plans addressing carriers’ responsibility to passengers, which must be incorporated into the contracts of carriage to generate greater awareness amongst passengers of their rights. Other issues include reporting of tarmac delay information; responding to consumer complaints; enhancing “Denied Boarding Compensation” (DBC) limits and coverage; providing complete fare information in advertisements; providing adequate disclosure on ancillary/optional fees; prohibiting post-purchase price increases; notifying flight status changes; widening choice-of-forum provisions; and addressing peanut allergies.

AAPA is currently working with industry partners and stakeholders to ensure minimal inconvenience to airline passengers

AAPA’s position had been that market forces and competition among airlines would force the industry to maintain its standards on on-time performances, overbooking and fleet/aircraft maintenance

AAPA member airlines are recognised leaders in standards of service and have always maintained a high level of schedule integrity and on-time performance, and good customer service often surpassing industry norms

Related Link: US DOT NPRM on Enhancing Airline Passenger Protections