The Senate is scheduled to vote on a new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill that includes provisions on various aspects of airline operations, such as refunds, pilot training, and air traffic controller shortages. The bill, which authorizes over $105 billion in appropriations for the FAA from 2024 to 2028, covers a wide range of issues to improve airline safety and passenger experience.
One key provision in the bill codifies refunds and airline credits into law, particularly for significant flight cancellations or delays. Passengers must receive refunds within specific timeframes depending on the circumstances of the delay. Airlines are also required to have easy-to-find refund request buttons on their websites. The bill raises questions about the enforceability of automatic refunds, as it states that passengers may only receive refunds upon written or electronic request.
Another significant provision requires all commercial airplanes, including newly manufactured ones, to be equipped with 25-hour cockpit recording devices. This requirement aims to address issues such as overwritten cockpit recordings in safety investigations, as highlighted in cases like the Alaska Airlines blowout investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board has lobbied for this provision for years to enhance safety measures in the aviation industry.
The bill does not make any changes to the pilot retirement age, which had been a topic of discussion due to the post-pandemic pilot shortage. Pilot unions were opposed to raising the retirement age due to potential safety risks, and the current bill reflects this sentiment by making no mention of changing the retirement age. FAA chief Michael Whitaker also advised against raising the retirement age until further studies are conducted.
To address the nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers, the bill establishes minimum hiring targets for air-traffic controllers to ensure adequate staffing levels. New York airports, in particular, have experienced delays and cancellations due to understaffing. The bill also aims to improve accessibility of air-traffic controller simulation training and address issues involving air-traffic controller instructor recruitment and retention.
Additionally, the bill emphasizes runway safety and worker protection measures. The FAA is tasked with exploring new technologies to enhance surface detection and reduce the risk of runway collisions following a series of near collisions. With an increase in unruly passengers since the pandemic, crewmember safety has become a concern. The bill mandates the FAA to establish minimum training requirements to protect employee safety, including crewmember self-defense, and to develop protocols for installing secondary cockpit barriers on designated commercial aircrafts.
