Overview
Title
To amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations to ensure airfare fairness in the wake of a disaster or emergency, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The AirFAIR Act is a new rule that says airlines can't make ticket prices too high during emergencies, like a big storm, and if prices go up by 30% or more, that's seen as too much. It also asks the government to check if airlines are being fair with prices and tell Congress what they find out.
Summary AI
H.R. 9988, also known as the "Airline Freeze of Astronomical Increases in Rates Act" or the "AirFAIR Act," is a bill that aims to prevent airlines and ticket sellers from sharply increasing airfare prices during a disaster or emergency. It instructs the Secretary of Transportation to establish rules classifying increases of 30% or more as excessive. Additionally, it requires a study by the FAA Administrator to examine if unfair pricing practices occurred during such events, with a report due to Congress within a year.
Published
Keywords AI
Sources
Bill Statistics
Size
Language
Complexity
AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The bill, known as the “Airline Freeze of Astronomical Increases in Rates Act” or the “AirFAIR Act,” is a legislative proposal introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Its primary aim is to amend title 49 of the United States Code. The amendment requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish regulations to ensure fair pricing of airline tickets during times of disaster or emergency. It categorizes excessive increases in airline ticket prices under such conditions as unfair or deceptive practices. The bill defines a 30% or greater increase in ticket prices during these times as excessive, and mandates a study by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to explore any unfair pricing that may occur under these circumstances.
Summary of Significant Issues
The bill raises several important issues:
Subjectivity of "Excessive" Increases: The term "excessive" regarding ticket price hikes is somewhat subjective, with only a minimum threshold of a 30% increase specified. This could lead to inconsistent enforcement, as smaller increases might also be considered excessive without clear criteria.
Enforcement Ambiguities: There is no clear specification on what actions will be taken against those who violate these regulations. This vagueness can result in confusion regarding enforcement and accountability for non-compliance.
Lack of Consumer Recourse: The bill does not provide for consumer compensation or recourse if they are victims of excessive pricing. This absence could leave consumers without adequate protection or remedies.
No Deadline for Regulations: The proposal does not set a specific timeline for when the Secretary must issue the new rules, potentially delaying the implementation of consumer protections during emergencies.
Impact on the Public
The intended impact of the AirFAIR Act is to protect consumers from being overcharged for airline tickets during emergencies when travel might be crucial. By potentially regulating fair pricing, the bill seeks to prevent exploitation of consumers during vulnerable times, such as natural disasters or public health emergencies.
However, the bill's vagueness on several fronts could result in consumers not receiving the intended protections swiftly. Without clear penalties or consumer recourse, the public's ability to seek redress remains uncertain. Furthermore, the delay in implementing these regulations due to the absence of a strict deadline could prolong exposure to unfair pricing practices.
Impact on Stakeholders
Positive Impacts: - Consumers: If effectively enforced, the bill would provide significant protection against exploitative pricing during unpredictable events, helping consumers to manage travel costs. - Regulatory Bodies: This legislation would empower entities like the Department of Transportation and the FAA to more thoroughly assess and regulate airline pricing practices in emergencies.
Negative Impacts: - Airlines and Ticket Agents: For these stakeholders, the bill could mean additional regulatory scrutiny and potential financial repercussions if deemed non-compliant. They might face challenges in determining fair pricing strategies during fluid emergency conditions. - Regulatory Burden: The lack of specific enforcement guidelines may lead to an increased administrative burden on agencies tasked with oversight, as they navigate ambiguous definitions and delayed regulation implementations.
In conclusion, while the AirFAIR Act seeks to address and prevent unfair airline ticket pricing during critical times, the success and efficacy of its implementation will depend heavily on clarifying its current ambiguities and ensuring timely application of its regulations.
Issues
The term 'excessive' regarding aviation ticket price increases is subjective and lacks clear numeric thresholds beyond the minimum 30% increase, potentially leading to inconsistent enforcement. (Section 2)
The bill fails to specify what actions will be taken against entities that violate the regulation, which could lead to ambiguity in enforcement. (Section 2)
There are no provisions for consumer recourse or compensation in case of excessive ticket pricing during disasters, which could be a concern for consumers facing inflated costs. (Section 2)
The bill implies that increases smaller than 30% might also be deemed excessive under certain conditions without providing clear criteria, potentially leading to arbitrary determinations. (Section 2)
The bill does not set a specific deadline for the Secretary of Transportation to issue the new regulations, which could delay the implementation of necessary consumer protections. (Section 2)
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the bill establishes its name as the “Airline Freeze of Astronomical Increases in Rates Act” or simply the “AirFAIR Act.”
2. Excessive aviation ticket price increases during disasters Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The proposed amendment to Section 41712 of title 49 of the United States Code prohibits excessive increases in airline ticket prices during disasters or emergencies, defining such practices as unfair or deceptive. Regulations will be created to determine when a price increase is deemed excessive, with a 30% increase or more automatically considered excessive. Additionally, a study will be conducted to examine potential unfair ticket pricing practices during these situations, with a report submitted to Congress within a year.