The FAA bill extension was not passed last week. It has meant that the government cannot collect something like $200 million in taxes and surcharges every week. The FAA funding mandate expired last Friday night (Aug. 22) and since then it is estimated that the government has already lost $150 million.
We are entering the endgame for the proposed passenger rights regulations and for Congressional action to mandate airline fee transparency. Nothing is set in stone at this time. Department of Transportation (DOT) activities with the rulemaking evidently have been moved from the depths of the department to the Secretary’s office and will be sent to the Office of Management and Budget. The FAA bill is moving through Congress.
The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2009 is nearly law. Ned Levi has reviewed its provisions, and suggests 2 critical changes to fix the legislation, to make if a far better comprehensive law, to better ensure cruise ship passenger security and safety.
The Senate has passed its version of the FAA Reauthorization Act. It now has to go into conference committee and be reconciled with the House version of the same bill. Consumers have plenty to cheer about in both bills, but the Senate version is far more explicit in terms of consumer protections.
I know it’s about 90 days since a very similar headline, but it’s happening again — the Senate is delaying passage of FAA Reauthorization Act once again (this makes seven times in a row). They promise they will get it done in March, but don’t hold your breath. Consumers seem to be last in the [...]
The House has passed H.R. 2200 – the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Authorization Act. It includes an expansion of the TSA into surface transportation such as highways, buses, trains and subways. But is it an exercise in futility?
The FAA reauthorization bill has been sent back to the Senate Finance Committee to iron out some non-aviation issues.
