From Investing.com: 2024-05-10 03:45:29

The U.S. Senate passed a $105 billion aviation bill to increase air traffic controller staffing, prevent runway incidents, and improve aviation safety. The bill requires airlines to refund canceled flights quickly, adds flights at Washington National Airport, and prohibits fees for families sitting together. The bill also addresses cockpit recording length, staff shortages, and consumer protections.

Efforts to improve aviation safety in the U.S. intensified after near-miss incidents and a Boeing 737 MAX 9 emergency. The bill does not raise the pilot retirement age but aims to increase staffing and penalties for airline violations. Congress rejected seat size requirements but will create a dashboard showing minimum seat sizes for each U.S. airline.

The legislation also reauthorizes the National Transportation Safety Board, boosts staffing, promotes drone adoption, and extends government counter-drone authority. The bill, which is expected to pass the House next week, supports aviation improvements and safety measures to benefit passengers and the industry.



Read more at Investing.com: US Senate passes sweeping aviation safety, consumer bill By Reuters