The FAA reauthorization bill passed in the House renewing the agency’s funding for another five years, with mixed reactions coming from different sectors of the travel industry.
Trade group Airlines for America broadly welcomed the bill.
"We applaud the House effort to produce an FAA reauthorization bill that provides long-term certainty for the 2.3 million passengers and countless businesses and shippers that rely on access to safe, affordable travel and shipping options every day. We urge Senators to adopt a long-term bill that continues to hold the line against unneeded tax hikes, while also protecting our customers from ill-advised calls to regulate pricing," A4A president and CEO Nicholas E. Calio said in a statement.
The lack of airfare transparency that A4A and airlines have heartily welcomed was roundly criticized by the American Society of Travel Agents.
ASTA bemoaned the removal of a ‘consumer protection principle ASTA holds dear — that consumers should know the full cost of air travel before purchasing a ticket’ it said in a letter addressed to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure before the vote.
Back in 2011 the transportation department announced the ‘full fare advertising’ rule which required airlines to display ‘base’ ticket fares online including the mandatory taxes and fees.
Without the protection of the Transparent Airfares Act, airline can quote fares without taxes, fees and any compulsory ancillary fees such as checked bags until the payment page, making it misleading and virtually impossible to comparison shop, critics say.
"The airlines’ long-term strategy seems to be to try to hide as much of the cost of flying as possible through fees," John Breyault, vice president at the National Consumers League told the Chicago Tribune.
On a more positive note for consumers, the bill mandates the FAA to draw up regulations within one year for minimum seat sizes and legroom on commercial flights.
The FAA reauthorization bill still needs Senate approval.
