WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate has made significant strides in aviation safety. A statement by Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) revealed that his Saracini Enhanced Aviation Safety Act has advanced under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. This piece of legislation seeks to bolster safety measures against airplane hijackings, in honor of United Flight 195’s Victor Saracini.
Senator Casey asserted the responsibility of Congress in making air travel safer, more efficient, and more accessible for all passengers and airline employees. This bill, according to him, is a critical step towards improving airline safety by employing measures to mitigate airplane hijackings and enhance consumer protections for passengers.
For a substantial amount of time, Senator Casey has pushed forward the Saracini Enhanced Aviation Safety Act, which mandates the installation of secondary barriers between the cabin and cockpit on all major commercial passenger planes, irrespective of its age. Data suggest these barriers can significantly decrease hijacking threats.
While the 2018 FAA legislation secured provisions for these barriers in new planes, opposition from the aviation industry has thwarted efforts at retrofitting older planes with these preventive measures. The new legislation mandates older planes to be fitted with secondary barriers, making a significant stride in hijacking prevention.
Beyond enhancing security, this legislative package presents a number of victories for passengers. Among such wins are the banning of unwarranted airline fees and the improvement of passengers’ rights. Key provisions include the right to refunds for delayed or cancelled flights within the United States, accessible customer service agents around the clock, established standards for airline reimbursement credits, and rules enabling children under 14 to sit next to guardians without an extra fee.
This legislation also introduces an Office of Aviation Consumer Protection within the Department of Transportation, overseen by a new “Assistant Secretary for Aviation Consumer Protection.” This office stands as testimony to the commitment of Congress towards better consumer protection.
Moreover, this bill promises an increase in the annual authorization for the Airport Improvement Program by over $600 million. This increase aids in improvements to airports across the nation and corroborates the government’s commitment to enhancing airport infrastructure. The Essential Air Service program, which provides air service to several rural communities, also secured increased funding and protection.
In the spirit of fostering a competent workforce, the bill incorporates a clause from the bipartisan Air Traffic Controllers Hiring Act to tackle the issue of air traffic controller shortages. The package also retains the mandatory pilot retirement age at 65, eschewing the previous proposal to increase it to 67.
This package, which takes a holistic approach to aviation safety, also caters to the needs of passengers with disabilities. It introduces training standards for employees assisting passengers with disabilities, enforces upgrades in aircraft boarding and deplaning to enhance accessibility, and mandates timely investigation into complaints of discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
In conclusion, this legislation represents a monumental stride in the arena of consumer protection and aviation safety. It serves as a testament to the power of collective effort and the earnest advocacy of leaders like Senator Casey to better airline travel for all.
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