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Last year I campaigned in InsideFlyer to get clarification about the ramifications of Section 145 of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (November 19, 2001). My interest was to make sure that “ticketed” included frequent flyer awards. With an estimated 50,000+ passengers traveling daily on frequent flyer awards, I have always felt it necessary to address this issue earlier than when it’s too late. As of yet I have been unable to get any type of answer from the DOT on this issue. I’ll keep trying.
As well, the current bill ends on Nov. 19, 2004 and there is time for the current Congress to extend it for another year. Given the implications of the airline industry, which while private enterprise, operates as public transportation, I hope the seriousness of this issue is acknowledged.
For those of you unfamiliar with the bill, here’s a recap:
DOT Issues Guidance on Airline Requirements To Carry Passengers of Bankrupt Airlines
The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued guidance on the statutory requirement that “to the extent practicable ” airlines carry passengers holding tickets on carriers that cease service due to insolvency or bankruptcy.
In its notice the department said that passengers holding valid paper or electronic tickets from insolvent or bankrupt carriers for a particular route are entitled at minimum to transportation on a space-available basis on any airline currently serving that route. Airlines may recover costs of providing the transportation such as the direct cost of rewriting a ticket and meal costs. The department does not foresee those costs exceeding $25 each way the notice said.
Section 145 of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act signed into law on Nov. 19 2001 requires air carriers to provide service on routes they operate to the extent practicable to passengers who hold tickets for those routes from carriers who have ceased service.
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November 6th, 2004 at 12:14 pm
While I am sympathetic to the plight of anyone whose carrier stops flying — and leaves them stranded — I do have a problem with airlines being forced to fly people for free. Is it really fair to an airline to force them to give you a ticket just because they happen to have a route flying on the same route as an airline that stopped flying? I think not. Any time we make companies swallow costs, you can be sure those costs will pop out somewhere else. And worse, the costs will be hidden. Perhaps every ticket should include a “stop flying” tax in it, and then airlines could be reimbursed by the government when they fly people who have been stranded. Call it a form of insurance.