Lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization deal to address the shortage of air traffic controllers and enhance safety measures. The legislation authorizes over $105 billion in appropriations for the FAA and $738 million for the National Transportation Safety Board for fiscal years 2024 through 2028. A vote on the bill is expected soon as the temporary law guiding the FAA is set to expire on May 10.
The proposed legislation includes provisions to ensure refunds for airline passengers in the case of flight cancellations or significant delays. Airlines will be required to offer refunds for domestic flights delayed for three hours and international flights delayed for six hours. Additionally, airlines must establish reimbursement policies for lodging, meals, and transportation in case of cancellations or delays. Travel credits issued by airlines must be useable for at least five years.
The bill also mandates the installation of 25-hour cockpit voice recorders in commercial aircraft, a significant increase from the current two-hour standard. This will align with the NTSB’s recommendation and ensure crucial information is captured for investigations. Additionally, the FAA is required to hire and train more air traffic controllers to address the current shortage and conduct further research into staffing needs at various facilities.
To enhance runway safety, the legislation mandates the installation of additional technology at medium and large hub airports. This technology, currently installed at a limited number of airports, has proven essential in preventing collisions and near-misses. The bill aims to reduce such incidents and improve overall air travel safety. Furthermore, protections for aviation workers and flight attendants are strengthened to address security threats and unruly passengers during flights.
Despite these provisions, the bill does not include mandates for minimum airline seat sizes or increase the retirement age for commercial airline pilots. The FAA will reassess seat sizing and evacuation standards to address passenger concerns about cramped conditions. Pilot retirement age will remain at 65, as opposed to the proposed increase to 67, to address pilot shortages. Additionally, pilots will not be allowed to substitute flight simulator time for actual flight experience when qualifying for licenses due to safety concerns. The legislation aims to balance safety, security, and regulatory needs in the aviation industry.
