H.R. 3653: Obligating Notification for Travelers about Interruptions from Maintenance and Employee Issues Act

This bill, titled the **Obligating Notification for Travelers about Interruptions from Maintenance and Employee Issues Act** or the **ON TIME Act**, proposes amendments to existing regulations related to air travel, specifically regarding how airlines communicate delays to passengers. Below are the key points of what the bill would do:

1. Requirement for Air Carriers

Air carriers, which provide scheduled passenger air transportation, would be required to:

• Immediately notify passengers about delays caused by maintenance or crew rest issues.
• If an estimate for the duration of the delay is not available, the airline must inform passengers of this fact and provide an estimate as soon as it becomes available.

2. Notification Methods

When providing notification about delays, airlines would need to ensure that this information is communicated through several channels:

• Public announcements over the airport's public address system.
• Display boards located at or near the affected gate.
• Direct notifications sent via text message, email, and the airline's mobile application, if applicable.

3. Purpose

The bill aims to improve transparency and communication between airlines and passengers when there are delays due to maintenance and crew-related issues, enhancing passenger awareness and allowing travelers to manage their plans accordingly.

4. Implementation Timeline

The bill does not specify an implementation timeline, but it would require compliance from airlines once enacted and regulations are established.

5. Potential Impact on the Transportation Sector

This legislation emphasizes accountability in the aviation industry, with a focus on improving customer service and satisfaction by keeping passengers informed during travel disruptions.

Relevant Companies

• UAL: United Airlines may need to enhance their customer notification systems to comply with the new requirements.
• AAL: American Airlines could incur costs related to updating their communication systems and training staff on new compliance protocols.
• DAL: Delta Air Lines might have to implement new technologies or processes to ensure timely notifications are provided to passengers regarding delays.