Airlines to face penalty if fails to give basic facilities
Air travelers in New York state have something to celebrate on the New Year Day as a new law, came into force, which would penalise the airlines heavily if they fail to provide adequate services to passengers stuck on the airport tarmac.
By PTI |
NEW YORK: Air travelers in New York state have something to celebrate on the New Year Day as a new law, came into force, which would penalise the airlines heavily if they fail to provide adequate services to passengers stuck on the airport tarmac.
The law -- first of its kind in the United States -- would obligate airlines operating in the State to provide water, snacks, fresh air and working toilet facilities to the passengers struck on tarmac in a plane for more than three hours.
But it does not obligate the carrier to take passengers off the plane as "deplanements" are not within the jurisdiction of the State.
It would also require the air carrier to explain to the stranded passengers their rights and way to file a complaint. The carriers found violating the law could be fined $1,000 per passenger.
The law also provides for setting up an Office of Airline Consumer Advocate within the Consumer Protection Board. The advocate would refer any violations to the state attorney general's office, which can seek civil penalties.
The law has stood the test of judicial review. A federal judge in Albany, capital of New York State, has already rejected the challenge mounted by the Air Transport Association, an airline industry group, and that could encourage other States to write similar law.
The lawmakers wrote the law following a series of lengthy delays during which passengers were confined in planes for several hours in some cases without food, water and with overflowing toilets.
The law -- first of its kind in the United States -- would obligate airlines operating in the State to provide water, snacks, fresh air and working toilet facilities to the passengers struck on tarmac in a plane for more than three hours.
But it does not obligate the carrier to take passengers off the plane as "deplanements" are not within the jurisdiction of the State.
It would also require the air carrier to explain to the stranded passengers their rights and way to file a complaint. The carriers found violating the law could be fined $1,000 per passenger.
The law also provides for setting up an Office of Airline Consumer Advocate within the Consumer Protection Board. The advocate would refer any violations to the state attorney general's office, which can seek civil penalties.
The law has stood the test of judicial review. A federal judge in Albany, capital of New York State, has already rejected the challenge mounted by the Air Transport Association, an airline industry group, and that could encourage other States to write similar law.
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The lawmakers wrote the law following a series of lengthy delays during which passengers were confined in planes for several hours in some cases without food, water and with overflowing toilets.
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