ASSEMBLYMEMBER TED LIEU
53RD ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
For Immediate Release: February 22, 2008
Contact: David Ford
Phone: (916) 319-2053

Lieu, Consumer Groups Annouce "Airline Passanger Health and Safety Act"

Los Angeles, CA – At a press conference at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) today, State Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) and representatives from Consumer Groups announce Assembly Bill (AB) 1407, the “Airline Passenger Health and Safety Act.” The bill will make sweeping reforms of the airline industry in California.

Lieu, who represents the communities surrounding LAX in the State Assembly, spoke of the need for the bill: “The health and safety of my constituents who fly is very important to me. AB 1407 will give California airline passengers the strongest consumer protections in the nation.”

Prompted by several recent events, Assemblymember Lieu introduced AB 1407 to require airlines to ensure that passengers, especially those with special needs, are adequately cared for when they are onboard the plane but their flight is delayed, either at takeoff or landing. The bill would also require airlines to post on their website information about chronically delayed flights and runway incursions, and to compensate passengers 150% of the ticket price if they missed a connection because of a previous delay. Finally, AB 1407 would create an Office of the Airline Advocate, which could investigate and resolve consumer complaints against the airlines.

Lieu was joined at the press conference by several representatives from consumer groups, including Kate Hanni, Coalition For An Airline Passengers’ Bill Of Rights; Richard Holober, Executive Director, Consumer Federation of California; Jose Hernandez, LAX Wheelchair Attendant, SEIU Airport Workers United; and Fidel Valenzuela, Westside Center for Independent Living.

Richard Holober praised the bill: “Passengers on commercial airlines are some of the most vulnerable of all consumer groups. Once they’re on the plane, they are completely at the mercy of the airline. AB 1407 will give these consumers a voice.”

Assemblymember Ted Lieu represents the 53rd Assembly District, which includes El Segundo, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Marina Del Rey, and portions of the City of Los Angeles.