Language Included In H.R. 2881

On Thursday, Kate Hanni with the Coalition for an Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights applauded Congressional approval of H.R. 2881, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007... which includes language aimed at forcing airlines to take steps to stem the epidemic of passenger strandings seen this year.

"Today, for the first time ever, the House of Representatives has passed strong Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights legislation, as part of the FAA bill, HR 2881," Hanni told ANN. "In the last few days, following numerous calls from stranding victims, and our successful strand-in the mall, the bill was improved dramatically to more clearly define a right to deplane and to put Passenger Advocates on a DOT Committee to oversee the DOT ultimately overseeing the airlines.

"We now intend to work to make sure that these important rights are retained in the final Senate bill and in the Conference Report for the President," Hanni added. "We commend all of our supporters, especially Mike Thompson, who introduced the Bill of Rights, and Chairman Jerry Costello and Chairman James Oberstar for helping us to make this happen."

The White House has indicated it would veto the bill, however, saying it "falls far short" of what the White House believes is necessary to reduce flight delays.

FMI: www.flyersrights.com