ASTA Needs U.S. Advisors to Help in FAA Reauthorization Bill

The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is sounding the alarm, calling all members and nonmembers in the U.S. to fight for a change to the final FAA Reauthorization Bill. 

The language in the final FAA Reauthorization Bill includes a final rule that requires travel agencies to pay refunds for “canceled or significantly changed” flights by making them the merchant of record for the sales.

ASTA had hoped that the final bill would override the rule, but that turned out not to be the case, with the final rules only requiring the DOT to propose regulations for agencies to be repaid by the airlines. It’s a major hit to U.S. agencies, which sell 40% of all air tickets in the U.S., and will now be forced to pay the price for something they can’t control. 

However, there is a slight chance of things changing, and ASTA is encouraging the entire U.S. travel trade to help. 

ASTA is supporting an amendment from Sen. Rand Paul called Amendment 1954 that would restore the original language of the bill. While all support is needed, the association is particularly looking at members in Washington, Illinois, Kansas, Texas, and New York, states that have Senators who will be making the final decision on the bill and the amendment process.

To help, ASTA has created a webpage with information on how to contact Senators that directs advisors where to go or who to call depending on where they live. The page also includes a call script that can be modified to make it personal.  

The bottom line for ASTA is that “small businesses should not pay the price for airline bad behavior,” which is the likely road the trade is headed on if something doesn’t change.