Lawmakers threaten to crack down on US airlines
Monday, 04 May, 2017
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US airlines have been threatened with tougher regulation unless they improve conditions for passengers.
They were told at a committee hearing in Washington DC that Congress ‘would not fail to act’ if airlines didn’t start treating passengers better.
The hearing followed an international outcry sparked by the heavy-handed removal by security guards of a passenger from an overbooked United Airlines’ flight three weeks ago.
United CEO Oscar Munoz apologized again for the treatment of Dr. David Dao on the flight from Chicago and promised improvements at yesterday’s hearing.
"Seize this opportunity because if you don’t, we’re going to come, and you’re not going to like it," said Bill Shuster, the Pennsylvania Republican who heads the committee that hosted the hearing.
Shuster said that although he did not believe in over-regulating businesses, Congress would do so unless conditions improved for passengers.
Politicians are concerned about a number of incidents reported recently on social media, including a clash between an American Airlines’ employee and a passenger over a children’s stroller.
Other complaints leveled at airlines include smaller seats, flights delayed on the tarmac, overbooking and failing to pass falling fuel prices on to customers.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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