Nolan Calls for Hearings on Airline Industry’s Consumer Protection Practices
WASHINGTON D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan today called on leaders of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and Aviation Subcommittee to hold a hearing to investigate the state of consumer protection practices within the airline industry.
“The recent incident where a passenger was violently removed from an overbooked United Airlines flight against his will is merely one of many instances where an airline has shown disregard for the rights of their passengers,” Nolan said.
Nolan requested a collaborative hearing regarding the practice of overbooking flights and the necessities of doing so; guidance available to passengers who are forced to give up their seat on an overbooked flight; steps taken by carriers to provide honest information to consumers during their flight delays; and how Congress can assist in ensuring the rights of passengers are protected.
The text of Nolan’s letter is below:
April 17, 2017
Dear Chairmen Shuster and LoBiondo and Ranking Members DeFazio and Larsen,
I write to request a full Transportation & Infrastructure Committee or Aviation Subcommittee hearing to receive testimony from airlines, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel, airport law enforcement, and consumer protection groups on the state of consumer protection practices within the airline industry. The recent incident where a passenger was violently removed from an overbooked United Airlines flight against his will is merely one of many instances where an airline has shown disregard for the rights of their passengers.
Specifically, I believe a collaborative hearing regarding the practice of overbooking flights and the necessities of doing so; guidance available to passengers who are forced to give up their seat on an overbooked flight; steps taken by carriers to provide honest information to consumers during their flight delays; and how Congress can assist in ensuring the rights of passengers are protected is pertinent at this time.
I look forward to working with all of you on this important issue moving forward. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Richard M. Nolan
Member of Congress
