U.S. lawmakers and officials have taken steps to ensure aviation safety and funding as the exceptionally busy holiday travel season approaches. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on 2023-12-20 the passage of a temporary extension for the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) funding and authority, emphasizing the importance of this measure for the travel-heavy holiday period and allowing time to pass a long-term funding solution in the new year. Representative Mark DeSaulnier reintroduced his Safe Landings Act, aimed at proactive aviation safety reforms following a near-miss incident at San Francisco International Airport in 2017. Representative Lloyd Doggett highlighted the strain on air traffic controllers at Austin Airport due to high traveler numbers and called for updates to safety equipment and additional staffing for the control tower, as discussed with @fox7austin. Furthermore, DeSaulnier spoke with @KTVU and @KTVUnews about the need to address human error in aviation through the bill. Additionally, President Joe Biden noted that 9 of the largest airlines in the U.S. have committed to providing free rebooking and hotel accommodations in cases where they are responsible for cancellations or delays, a move that came after his administration urged airlines to improve their services.
As folks across America fly home for the holidays, this year, they'll have peace of mind knowing 9 of the largest airlines now guarantee free rebooking and hotels if they're at fault for a cancellation or delay. My Administration challenged them to do better. And they did.
We need to be proactive in improving aviation safety to eliminate the sort of near-miss incidents that we’ve seen increase throughout this year. I spoke with @KTVU about a bill I just reintroduced that would protect the flying public by addressing human error in aviation. https://t.co/Ll2viHdCU7
We need to be proactive in improving aviation safety to eliminate the sort of near-miss incidents that we’ve seen increase throughout this year. I spoke with @KTVUnews about a bill I just reintroduced that would protect the flying public by addressing human error in aviation. https://t.co/piBNfe4l94
.@AUStinAirport is facing high numbers of travelers this season, making it hard for overworked air traffic controllers to keep up. With multiple near-misses this year, I spoke to @fox7austin about my efforts urging FAA to update our safety equipment & staff up our control tower. https://t.co/zWKumTB2Rf
Since the 2017 near-miss incident at SFO, I've been working with experts to pass proactive aviation safety reforms. As we approach an exceptionally busy air travel season, I am proud to reintroduce my Safe Landings Act. (1/2) https://t.co/r4KFurDPlP
I just took to the Senate floor and passed the temporary extension of the FAA’s authorities and funding abilities. It’s critical we extend this funding right as so many Americans travel for the holidays. It’ll give us time to pass the long-term funding measure in the new year.