ASTA Urges Advisors To Contact Their Senators Regarding FAA Reauthorization Bill

The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is calling on travel advisors, especially those in the states of Washington, Illinois, Kansas, Texas and New York, to contact their senators to ask them to support Senator Rand Paul’s proposed amendment — Amendment 1954 — to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill. According to ASTA, the industry is in an ‘all hands on deck situation’ to get the FAA amendment over the finish line, ensuring advisors are not on the hook for administering airline refunds for canceled or significantly changed flights.

Travel pros can visit ASTA’s website for more details on Amendment 1954. The organization also has helpful resources for placing a phone call and emailing one’s appropriate representative. The current FAA Reauthorization Act requires ticket agents to issue refunds for canceled or changed flights, even when they are no longer in possession of funds. If passed, Amendment 1954 would restore the bill’s original language to specifically state that travel agencies are not responsible for refunds in this instance.  

“We were thankful when the House originally recognized this important distinction,” said Zane Kerby, president and CEO of ASTA in an April 29 press release. “Unfortunately, the final compromise between the House and Senate kicks this issue back to a DOT that has shown a clear lack of understanding how travel agencies book air travel.”

In the same April press release, ASTA shared the final FAA bill would require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue regulations within one year, requiring air carriers to swiftly transfer funds to ticket agents when the agent is required to refund a consumer but does not possess the funds. Unfortunately, according to ASTA, this DOT rule is slated to go into effect several months from now meaning travel agencies will be subjected to preventable uncertainty and financial stress in the meantime.

“ASTA has appeared before this committee many times and recent final rules from DOT continue to show a clear of understanding on the role of travel agencies and advisors in booking air travel,” said Kerby. “It is disappointing that when given an opportunity to add the views of the agencies who booked 40 percent of air tickets in 2023, Congress deflected to an unenforceable consultative role.”

Again, advisors who want to get involved can visit ASTA’s website for more actionable details on Amendment 1954 and the FAA Reauthorization Act. For any questions regarding this issue, advisors can email ASTA at GovtAffairs@asta.org.