Opposes legislation to modernize air travel

North Carolina Senator and former Secretary of Transportation Elizabeth Dole today voted against the Aviation Investment and Modernization Act which would modernize air travel by improving air safety and enhancing passengers’ rights. Dole’s vote comes despite hundreds of flights cancelled last month due to safety problems and reports of passengers trapped on planes for hours with overflowing toilets and no food.

“Elizabeth Dole is clearly out of touch if she thinks the current state of air travel is just fine,” DSCC spokesman Matthew Miller said. “Travelers are tired of waiting for massively delayed flights and fixes to safety concerns, and North Carolinians are tired of waiting for Elizabeth Dole to stand up for their interests. Elizabeth Dole may have been Transportation Secretary in the eighties, but today she took a pass on bringing air travel into the twenty-first century.”

Main Provisions of the Aviation Investment and Modernization Act (S. 1300)

Improve Air Safety. Modernization of the old, analog air traffic control system with a modern digital system to improve safety in the increasingly crowded skies; requires development of a plan to reduce runway incursions.

Improve Passengers’ Rights. Require airlines to put up on their websites updated lists of chronically late flights and develop plans to deal with extended tarmac delays.

Improve Service to Small Communities. Increases funding and provides for other incentives for the Essential Air Service program.

Air Travel Benefits for Service Members. Gives all active duty service members access to the lowest ticketed fares.