Newsstand - Airlines, Passenger Groups Clash in NY

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- In a case that could affect passengers delayed on planes at airports nationwide, an industry trade group is challenging New York's law requiring airlines to provide food, water, clean toilets and fresh air to passengers stuck on the ground for more than three hours.

Source: http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071218/ny_passenger_rights.html?.v=1

As the airlines sabotaged consumer protection moves at the national level -- in Congress -- the airlines should not be surprised that they are instead reaping what they sowed at the state level.

Of course it is no big surprise that the airline lobbyists are now doing what they can to sabotage consumer protections at that level too.

Yesterday (Thurs. Dec. 20), a federal judge in New York heard the case of the airline industry group and rendered a decision against their plea. The New York law remains in effect. There was no word as to whether the airline industry group would appeal.

December 21, 2007

A federal judge dismissed an airline industry lawsuit that sought to block a state law, which would ensure basic services are provided to delayed passengers, the New York State attorney general said on Thursday.

Source: http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1198218049.html

No matter what "law" is passed there is still the uncontrollable (by the airlines) elements of WEATHER and AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL. If Jet Blue-It has 258 flights a day in/out of JFK and United has 20, how is the State of New York going to handle that disparity with irregular ops ? Unbelievable but not surprising. Start dealing with the worst offenders first - not the airlines that have much less flights in and out of an airport.