Extend tarmac rules to international, DOT told

BTN News
Friday, 25 June 2010
Following a four-hour 100 degree-plus US tarmac stranding that resulted in a number of Virgin Atlantic passengers being hospitalised, airline passenger advocacy group Flyersrights.org, has called on the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for additional measures to protect passengers.

The group has urged DOT to include international flights operating in the US under the newly promulgated Three Hour Rule, which ensures stranded US domestic passengers can deplane after three hours on the tarmac.


The group also called upon DOT to ensure that international flights keep air conditioning on during strandings, as domestic flights are now required to do.


"Given the dangerous situation that took place on the Virgin Atlantic flight last night, DOT must step in immediately to include international flights in the three hour and air conditioning rules," said Kate Hanni,  executive director of FlyersRights.org.


"Several passengers were hospitalised after being exposed for over four hours to temperatures well over 100 degrees- we are fortunate there were no fatalities."


Reports confirm the aircraft's generators shut down, leaving passengers with no air conditioning and sweltering temperatures that reached 100 degrees. Passengers were refused the right to deplane, despite their repeated requests to do so.

Extend tarmac rules to international, DOT told

BTN News
Friday, 25 June 2010
Following a four-hour 100 degree-plus US tarmac stranding that resulted in a number of Virgin Atlantic passengers being hospitalised, airline passenger advocacy group Flyersrights.org, has called on the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for additional measures to protect passengers.

The group has urged DOT to include international flights operating in the US under the newly promulgated Three Hour Rule, which ensures stranded US domestic passengers can deplane after three hours on the tarmac.


The group also called upon DOT to ensure that international flights keep air conditioning on during strandings, as domestic flights are now required to do.


"Given the dangerous situation that took place on the Virgin Atlantic flight last night, DOT must step in immediately to include international flights in the three hour and air conditioning rules," said Kate Hanni,  executive director of FlyersRights.org.


"Several passengers were hospitalised after being exposed for over four hours to temperatures well over 100 degrees- we are fortunate there were no fatalities."


Reports confirm the aircraft's generators shut down, leaving passengers with no air conditioning and sweltering temperatures that reached 100 degrees. Passengers were refused the right to deplane, despite their repeated requests to do so.