Representatives María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Dina Titus (D-NV), and Mark Alford (R-MO) have reintroduced the Flight Refund Fairness Act, also known as H.R. 5556. The legislation aims to address issues faced by small travel agencies when flights are canceled.
Currently, federal regulations can require small travel agencies to pay for refunds after flight cancellations, even though these cancellations are beyond their control. The proposed bill would shift the responsibility for issuing refunds from travel advisors to airlines. Supporters say this change would help travelers receive their money back more quickly and protect small businesses from financial strain.
“Miami is the premier tourism hub and the small businesses that support this industry must be protected,” said Rep. Salazar. “I’m proud to reintroduce the bipartisan Flight Refund Fairness Act, which will remove a regulatory hurdle for small travel advisors that may otherwise jeopardize business operations, while ensuring consumers are able to get any potential refund in a timely manner.”
Rep. Titus highlighted the importance of travel advisors in her region: “As the Co-Chair of the Travel and Tourism Caucus, I know the importance of travel advisors to the hospitality industry across the country,” she said. “I’m proud to join the introduction of the Flight Refund Fairness Act so that we can protect these small businesses which continue to help bring more visitors to Southern Nevada to experience everything the Las Vegas Valley has to offer.”
Rep. Alford emphasized protecting local businesses: “The Flight Refund Fairness Act protects small businesses from the rampant overreach of bureaucrats in Washington,” he said. “Local travel planners should not be held responsible for flight cancellations caused by large airlines. I’m proud to co-lead this bill to protect Main Street from Washington.”
Zane Kerby, President and CEO of ASTA, also commented on behalf of travel advisors: “Travel advisors are consumer advocates. They navigate complex rules and fight for rightful refunds for their clients,” he said. “But the current regulatory structure threatens the financial viability of many travel agencies – 95 percent of which are small businesses – by placing the refund burdens on agencies. We applaud the original cosponsors of this legislation, led by Representative Maria Salazar, for recognizing this inequity.”
The full text of H.R. 5556 is available online.
