Airline passengers group releases model State Bill of Rights

NAPA, Calif. – The Coalition for an Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights (CAPBOR) today announced the release of its Model State Bill of Rights.

NAPA, Calif. – The Coalition for an Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights (CAPBOR) today announced the release of its Model State Bill of Rights. The Model Bill is available for use by state legislators who wish to provide airline passengers in their states with the same assurances of food, water, ventilation and sanitary facilities that is now available to travelers passing through New York’s airports. The CAPBOR Bill essentially takes the New York law and modifies it so that it can serve as a model for use by other states.

“Our Model Bill is closely based on the pioneering legislation sponsored by New York State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo and State Assemblyman Michael Gianaris, which went into effect January 1,” CAPBOR Founder Kate Hanni said. “We again want to express our gratitude for their courage and hard work in getting the New York law enacted,” she added.

New York law now requires that airline passengers stranded more than three hours on the ground aboard commercial airliners be provided with necessary food, water, ventilation and working sanitary facilities. CAPBOR, supporting New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, played a key role in defending the New York law against a challenge by the airlines’ trade group, which had contended that requiring passengers to be provided with food, water and working restrooms was unconstitutional.

“We also want to recognize the outstanding leadership of Arizona State Representative Jonathan Paton; California State Assemblyman Mark Leno; Rhode Island State Senator Lou Raptakis; and Washington State Senator Ken Jacobsen in working to provide these critical protections to airline passengers in their states,” Ms. Hanni said.

“We have every confidence that states following the guidance we are offering will be able to adopt laws that will survive any constitutional challenge the airlines may continue to make,” CAPBOR Special Counsel Burton Rubin added.

The Coalition for an Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights (CAPBOR) is the largest non-profit airline passengers’ group in the U.S. with over 21,400 members. For information about CAPBOR, email [email protected] or go to www.flyersrights.org. Hotline number is 1-877-FLYERS6. Endorsed ACAP, USPIRG, Consumers Union, Public Citizen, Consumer Federation of America, Flight Attendants Unions and Pilots.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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