On the recordApril 11, 2016
I rise today to discuss a number of my amendments to the FAA reauthorization bill. I filed Markey amendment No. 3467 to protect consumers from ridiculously high airline fees. In recent years, fees have gone up despite the fact that gas prices and airline choices have gone down. Regrettably, the only thing competitive about the current airline industry is the battle for overhead compartment space. Since 2001, 10 major airlines have become 4, allowing air carriers to charge ridiculous fees and act in uncompetitive ways. The four major airlines now control 80 percent of the seat capacity in the United States. At some major airports, passengers only have one or two airlines to choose from. Airline fees have climbed as high as the planes on which passengers are traveling. We must stop their rapid ascent to protect the everyday airline passenger. According to an excellent report released by Ranking Member Nelson last year, three airlines increased checked baggage fees by 67 percent between 2009 and 2014 and four airlines increased domestic cancellation fees by 33 percent. One increased its fee by 50 percent, and one increased its fee by 66 percent. Airlines should not be allowed to overcharge captive passengers just because they need to change their flight or check a couple of bags. It is just not fair.…
