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Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee

Overview

In 2021, the Department appointed members and renewed the charter of the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee (ACPAC), an advisory committee initially established as mandated by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2012 on May 24, 2012.  The purpose of ACPAC is to evaluate existing aviation consumer protection programs and provide recommendations to the Secretary for improving and establishing additional aviation consumer protection programs.  Pursuant to statute, ACPAC membership consists of one representative each of U.S. airlines, consumer groups, airports, and State or local governments.

Committee Members

The Secretary selected committee members for their expertise as well as their willingness and ability to actively participate in meeting the ACPAC's objective.  The committee members are:

  • Dana Nessel, Attorney General of Michigan, as the State or local government representative and Chair of the ACPAC.
  • Mario Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority, as the airport operator representative.
  • John Breyault, Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud at National Consumers League, as the consumer representative.
  • Patricia Vercelli, General Counsel of Airlines for America, as the airline representative.

Committee Report

  • Report of the ACPAC: On April 26, 2024, the ACPAC submitted its Report to the Secretary of Transportation. In the Report, the ACPAC made 32 recommendations to the Department with respect to the following: (1) availability of flight information; (2) refunds to consumers in the event of cancellations and itinerary changes; (3) disclosure to consumers of ancillary fees charged by airlines; and (4) information provided to consumers adversely affected by airline delays or cancellations. The Report is available on the ACPAC's docket, DOT-OST-2018-0190.

Committee Status

  • January 12, 2023 Meeting: The ACPAC held a one-day virtual public meeting on January 12, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. ET. The ACPAC deliberated on the Department's notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on Enhancing Transparency of Airline Ancillary Service Fees and voted on recommendations regarding the Department's NPRM on Airline Ticket Refunds and Consumer Protections. 
  • December 8 and 9, 2022, Meeting: The ACPAC held a two-day virtual public meeting on December 8 and 9, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. ET. On the first day, the ACPAC considered the Department's notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on Enhancing Transparency of Airline Ancillary Service Fees. On the second day, the ACPAC deliberated on three topics: (1) information provided to consumers adversely affected by airline delays or cancellations; (2) availability of airline flight information; and (3) the Department’s NPRM on Airline Ticket Refunds. 
  • August 22, 2022 Meeting: The ACPAC held a public meeting on August 22, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. ET. The ACPAC discussed the Department’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Airline Ticket Refunds and Related Consumer Protections. 
  • June 28 and 29, 2022 Meeting: The ACPAC held a public meeting on June 28 and 29, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET. The ACPAC discussed two topics: (1) Transparency of Airline Ancillary Service Fees and (2) Availability of Airline Flight Information.
  • December 2, 2021 Meeting: The ACPAC held a virtual public meeting on December 2, 2021 from 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET. The ACPAC  discussed two topics: (1) Airline Ticket Refunds and (2) Information for Consumers Adversely Affected by Airline Delays or Cancellations. For more information, click here. 

Committee Charter

The ACPAC’s current Charter, drafted in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, sets forth policies for the operation of the advisory committee and is available online here.

ACPAC Subcommittees

In 2021, the Department created the Anti-Discrimination Subcommittee as a subcommittee of the ACPAC. The Anti-Discrimination Subcommittee will review airlines’ policies, procedures, and practices to prevent discrimination against air travelers based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, ancestry, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation. The Anti-Discrimination Subcommittee will develop recommendations for consideration by the ACPAC on best practices relating to training and other actions that can be taken by DOT, airlines, or others to ensure nondiscriminatory delivery of airlines’ programs and activities to air travelers. The Anti-Discrimination Subcommittee’s Charter sets forth policies for the operation of the subcommittee and is available online here. Additional information regarding the Anti-Discrimination Subcommittee will be forthcoming.

The Department previously established the National In-Flight Sexual Misconduct Task Force (Task Force) as an ACPAC Subcommittee as mandated by the FAA Act.  The Task Force reviewed practices, protocols and requirements of U.S. airlines in responding to and reporting allegations of sexual misconduct by passengers on board aircraft.  It provided recommendations to the ACPAC on best practices relating to training, reporting, and data collection regarding incidents of sexual misconduct by passengers onboard commercial aircraft.   More information regarding the Task Force is available here.

Previous Committee Activity

To view previous activities of the Committee, including Reports to the Secretary, click here. 

Last updated: Tuesday, May 28, 2024