Passenger rights

Latest developments

• The US Department of Transport has issued two rulemakings in the past two years that require US and foreign carriers to allow to deplane after 3 and 4 hours respectively of tarmac delay
• Additionally, the rules require airlines to have contingency plans for handling passengers during tarmac delays and increase government oversight of pricing and advertising
• The DOT is expected to issue a third rule in 2012 requiring airlines to submit ancillary fee information to Global  Distribution Systems (GDSs)

IATA Positions

• IATA supports contingency plans, but believes the DOT must require airports, TSA and CBP to have their own plans as the majority of tarmac delays are caused by circumstances outside the control of airlines
• IATA opposes the imposition of a strict deplanement timeline, especially on international carriers, and DOT efforts to interfere with airlines' business models
• IATA opposes any efforts to require airlines to submit their ancillary fee information to monopoly GDSs