Adding “Ticket Agents” to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee (ACPAC) is high on the Travel Technology Association’s federal legislative advocacy priority list.
“Ensuring our member companies have a seat at the policymaking table is core to Travel Tech’s mission as the industry’s trade association,” said Laura Chadwick, president & CEO. “Whether it’s at the U.S. Department of Transportation, in the halls of Congress or across the country with state and local policymakers, we make our members’ voices heard as legislation and regulations are developed.”
Like all federal advisory committees, ACPAC provides leaders at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) with access to information and advice on a broad range of issues affecting federal policies and programs. ACPAC was established by Section 411 of the 2012 FAA Reauthorization Act to “advise the Secretary in carrying out activities relating to airline customer service improvements.” Learn more about ACPAC’s past meetings and recommendations.
Membership on ACPAC is set by statute and requires an act of Congress to add a new member. Current membership is limited to a representative from four different groups: air carriers; airport operators; state or local governments with expertise in consumer protection matters; and nonprofit public interest groups with expertise in consumer protection matters.
However, one major group involved in the sale of air transportation and associated consumer protection issues – ticket agents – was inexplicably omitted when the ACPAC was established.
Adding ticket agents to ACPAC will better equip the advisory committee to address growing airline customer service issues. Online ticket agents sell approximately 50% of all airline tickets to consumers every year, putting them in the distinctive position to share a deep knowledge and understanding of refunds, ancillary fees, and cutting-edge technology.
