After hours of uncertainty last Thursday, the U.S. Senate struck a deal to reauthorize several Federal Aviation Authority programs for the next five years, though Maryland and Virginia senators were vehemently opposed and lawmakers hoping to attach unrelated provisions lost out. The late night vote, 88-4, drew resistance from the Democratic senators representing Maryland and Virginia. They held up speedier passage of the bill over objections to a provision that would allow more flights in and out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The bill, after being approved by the House this week, is off to the White House for signing.
Changes to come: Among its many provisions, this roughly 1,000-page piece of legislation raises the commercial pilot retirement age to 67 from 65; prohibits mask-wearing and COVID-19 vaccine policies; directs the FAA to update drone testing and operating rules; requires the Department of Transportation to create a seating policy to allow children to sit next to parents or guardians at no extra charge; and requires airlines to automatically refund customers after three hours of delay for domestic flights, six hours for international flights.
