The Senate on Tuesday
overwhelmingly passed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization
Act of 2016, legislation that increases airport security and requires airlines
to refund baggage fees if the bags are delayed.
The bill does not privatize
air traffic control or enable an increase of the Passenger Facility Charge
(PFC) for airport improvement.
The 18-month bill, which
passed 95-3 following several weeks of debate, will now get kicked over to the
House.
Sen. John Thune, (R-S.D.),
chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and
lead sponsor of the bill, called it "one of the most passenger-friendly
FAA reauthorization bills in a generation.”
U.S. Travel Association
CEO Roger Dow commended lawmakers for including a review of airline alliances
currently immune from antitrust prosecution and for the inclusion of the TSA
PreCheck Expansion Act.
He said it missed the mark
by not raising the cap on the PFC, saying that raising it would "pave the
way for much-needed infrastructure improvements at our airports that ultimately
benefit flyers."
Conversely, trade
organization Airlines for America (A4A) was pleased that the bill did not includea
PFC increase, which would have been "an unnecessary airport tax hike on
the traveling public.” A4A also cautioned against provisions in the bill
designed to "reregulate airline pricing and services.”
"Despite the high
level of satisfaction among airline passengers, the Senate bill contains
unnecessary provisions that would take a step backward to pre-1978 regulation
polices and make it more difficult for consumers to afford to fly,” stated A4A
CEO Nicholas Calio.
A4A also said the bill
missed "a historic opportunity to enact bold legislation" to
privatize air traffic control.
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Correction: The Senate bill will now go to the House for a vote. A previous version of this report, in error, said it would not.