A Senate panel already approved an aviation policy bill on Wednesday. The decision came after a partisan dispute took place arguing whether airlines gouge consumers with fees for basic services including checked bags, seat assignments, and ticket changes.
According to The Seattle Times, the Senate trade committee approved by voice vote a bill to persist the Federal Aviation Administration's authority to operate throughout October 1, 2017. However, the authority is set to expire on March 31.
Senator Edward Markey, D-Mass., one of the committee's Democrats, made an effort to add a provision to the bill to ban airlines from setting unreasonable fee prices. Then they would direct the Transportation Department to set up what is reasonable for them. But the amendment failed on a party-line tie vote.
CNBC noted that Markey stated that clients are also being scraped by excessive fees. However, these consumers are left with no choice but to pay these airlines if they want to travel. "There is some really bad behavior going on here, particularly in those routes where there is no competition and they can get away with whatever they want to do because there is no alternative," said Senator Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.
The Republicans also mentioned that the stipulation would cause burden for airlines and that market forces should be allowed to know the fee prices. "No one here can argue fees aren't unpopular," said Senator John Thune, R-S.D., the committee's chairman. "However, it's not up to the federal government to determine when fees are unreasonable." But then, he said that should be determined by consumers through comparison shopping.
Except the Southwest Airlines, all major U.S. airline companies, and some of the smaller airlines already charge bag fees on domestic flights. The charge would allegedly start about $25.
The committee's chairman claimed that the bill already includes several consumer provisions. Among those is a prerequisite that the department standardize the way the aviation and ticket services unveil fees for basic services for passengers' easier comparison on the full costs of the flights.
ABC NEWS also reported that the airlines are also required to return fees for bags that are lost or delayed more than six hours after the arrival of a domestic flight, and over 12 hours after the arrival of an international flight under the legislation. Airlines would also be mandated to automatically refund fees for services bought but not received by the passengers.
Meanwhile, Senator Thune also said that he is proceeding with the Senate bill in an effort to accomplish an important policy changes this early. He also indicated that once the bill passes the Senate, he's willing to tackle other proposals offered by the House.
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