SACRAMENTO, CA —Assemblyman Mark Leno’s AB 1943, The California Airline Passenger Bill of Rights, which would protect passengers from lengthy delays on the tarmac without basic necessities such as clean water, food, access to clean bathrooms, lights and fresh air, passed off the Assembly Floor today by bi-partisan a vote of 54 to 16.
“It’s difficult enough to be stranded in an airplane on a tarmac for hours without any information about when the ordeal will end, but to not be provided drinking water, food or access to a clean bathroom is unhealthy and unacceptable,” said Leno. “No one should be denied basic necessities when stranded for hours on the tarmac.”
Specifically, AB 1943 will provide basic protections for passengers who have been stranded on a runway for three hours or more by requiring airlines to provide life’s necessities such as drinking water, snacks, fresh air, sanitary restrooms, lights and the ability to move around the cabin to reduce the possibility of some health complications.
Currently, there are no statutory requirements for minimum airline passenger rights. The New York legislature successfully passed passenger rights legislation last year that is currently being fought by the airlines and their lawyers in the courts.
“It is my hope that our state’s voice is heard and that it also becomes clear at the federal level that we need a national passenger rights bill for all airlines to follow when passengers’ health is at risk,” added Leno.
AB 1943 will now be sent to the Senate.
California lawmakers on Thursday approved legislation requiring airlines to provide passengers with food, water, lights, air and working toilets when they're stuck on airport tarmacs for long periods of time....
