Klobuchar, Aviation Representatives Make Final Push for "Passenger Bill of Rights'

Press Release

At the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar was joined today by aviation representatives to push for passage of legislation that would improve safety and convenience for commercial air travelers.

The legislation is facing a vote by the full Senate this month. Klobuchar -- who serves on the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety and Security -- authored several provisions included in the final legislation.

"This important legislation will mean safer skies, fewer flight delays, less congested airports and greater convenience for air travelers," said Klobuchar. "In particular, the passenger bill of rights is long overdue, as too many airline passengers have had to endure "flightmares' that ruined their travel plans."

The "FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act" includes an "Airline Passengers Bill of Rights" which would require airlines to provide passengers with food, water and adequate restrooms during a tarmac delay. It also sets a limit of three hours for how long a plane can sit on the ground with passengers aboard.

In August 2009, 47 passengers were trapped overnight in a Continental Express plane at the Rochester airport. The 50-seat plane had been diverted there because of bad weather in the Twin Cities. For six hours, as the plane sat on the tarmac, passengers did not have food or water and the one toilet on board broke down.

Among those joining Klobuchar at the news conference was Link Christin, a Minnesotan who was a passenger on the ill-fated Continental Express flight.

The legislation also includes a number of provisions to make flying more efficient and safer. It will upgrade and modernize the nation's air traffic control system, converting it from a ground-based system to one that uses GPS. This should result in fewer flight delays and less congestion at airports.

The legislation would also establish higher safety standards for pilot training and a more rigorous inspection process for planes. This is in direct response to the February 2009 crash of a Continental Connection flight as it approached the Buffalo (NY) airport. The crash killed all 49 people aboard as well as one person on the ground. The two-year anniversary of that plane crash is coming up on February 12.

Others joining Klobuchar at the news conference included Jeff Hamiel, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, and Stan Gaddek, President/CEO of Sun Country Airlines.

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