Washington, DC – Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) today signed on as a cosponsor to HR 1303, the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act of 2007. Introduced by Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA01), this legislation would require all airlines to provide a minimum level of customer service.  Dingell has been one of the leading advocates in the House of Representatives for a Passengers Bill of Rights for almost a decade. He has introduced his own passenger protection legislation in 1999 and 2001. 

“In previous Congresses I have introduced airline passenger protection legislation after thousands of passengers at Detroit Metro Airport were stranded on planes, some for over eight hours without food, water or usable restroom facilities.  HR 1303 is largely based on those pieces of legislation, and I commend Congressman Thompson for introducing legislation this Congress,” Dingell said.

"It is clear from the events at Detroit Metro in 1999, and the more recent events at John F. Kennedy International Airport, that Congress must give airline passengers the rights they deserve and have been calling for.  I have received many letters and telephone calls from constituents and others across the country about deplorable airline behavior; conduct that will continue until Congress passes a strong and binding passenger bill of rights that force airlines once and for all to ensure decent treatment of the flying public.” 

Among other things, this legislation would:

· Require airlines to frequently update passengers at the airport and aboard aircraft on the cause and timing of delays.

· Require airlines to disclose information on chronically delayed flights at the time of ticket purchase.

· Require airlines to make every effort to return checked bags to passengers within 24 hours.

· Require airlines to draft and prominently display a Passenger Bill of Rights, which either meets or exceeds the standards in this bill.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has included language from the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights in the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization bill requiring that airlines develop emergency contingency plans, including how each aircraft will “provide food, water, restroom facilities, cabin ventilation and access to medical treatment” during delays.

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