DOT Proposes Revised Disability Access Rules For U.S. And Foreign Air Carriers

This article highlights an important development for domestic and foreign airlines, airports and travel agents. We previously reported ("DOT Ramps up Enforcement of Disability Access Regulations," Dec. 15, 2003) that the Department of Transportation ("DOT") would issue proposed rules applying its existing disability access rules to foreign air carriers, and, after four years of development, DOT recently issued its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ("NPRM") on Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel. The NPRM contains two major changes. First, DOT responded to a Congressional mandate to apply its disability-related rules to foreign air carriers. Second, DOT completely rewrote these rules (14 C.F.R. Part 382) in "plain English," clarifying and updating them to more accurately reflect the current state and technology of air transportation. Comments are due by February 2, 2005.