Empowering Traveler Choice in the 2023 FAA Reauthorization

Travel Tech’s Policy Priorities are focused on Improving Airline Travel for Consumers, Transparency, and Innovation

Many of Travel Tech’s member companies are considered to be “Ticket Agents,” which subjects them to regulation by the U.S. Department of Transportation. “Ticket Agent” is a specific term defined in the Aviation Code, meaning a person (except an air carrier, a foreign air carrier, or an employee of an air carrier or foreign air carrier) that as a principal or agent sells, offers for sale, negotiates for, or holds itself out as selling, providing, or arranging for, air transportation.” (49 U.S.C. § 40102(a)(45)). “Ticket Agents” consistently sell 50% of all airline tickets sold every year.

Provisions impacting “Ticket Agents” are regularly included in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization legislation. These are often directed toward the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection, which is part of the Office of the General Counsel in the Office of the Secretary of Transportation. Travel Tech is currently engaged in the following DOT’s regulatory actions related to consumer protection: Enhancing Transparency of Airline Ancillary Service Fees and Airline Ticket Refunds and Consumer Protections

In February 2023, Travel Tech released its priorities for the upcoming FAA Reauthorization by Congress. The priority list and related justification for the recommendations are contained in a white paper submitted to the U.S. Senate’s Commerce Committee and U.S. House of Representatives’ Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.