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News Digest - 08-28-15

Friday, August 28, 2015

MARAD Announces New Exhaust Gas Scrubber Guide for Maritime Applications. The Maritime Administration (MARAD) today announced the availability of the Fourth Edition of the “Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems Selection Guide”. This edition provides ship owners and operators the latest information on scrubber technology available to assist the industry in meeting new sulfur emissions standards. This edition includes guidance on regulatory requirements and compliance options, life cycle analyses for various vessel types, review of scrubber technology and technical insight into integration, operations, and maintenance challenges. The guide was developed by the Ship Operations Cooperative Program with funding from MARAD’s Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) Program and can be found at http://www.socp.us/article.html?aid=120.   Media Contact: Kim Strong at (202) 366-5807.

DOT Fines Spirit Airlines for Tarmac Delay Rule Violations.  The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) fined Spirit Airlines $100,000 for violating federal rules involving lengthy tarmac delays and ordered the airline to cease and desist from further violations.  An investigation by DOT’s Aviation Enforcement Office found that on July 17, 2014, Spirit did not offer passengers on board flight 667 the opportunity to deplane during a three hour and 38 minute diversion at Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).  Airlines may not allow tarmac delays longer than three hours on domestic flights at U.S. airports without giving passengers an opportunity to leave the plane.  In addition, Spirit did not provide food to passengers within two hours after the aircraft arrived at IAH, in violation of federal law.  The consent order is available at www.regulations.gov, docket DOT-OST-2015-0002.  Contact:  Caitlin Harvey:  (202) 366-4570.

DOT’s Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection to Hold Ninth Meeting on September 1.  On Tuesday, September 1, 2015, at 10:00AM, DOT’s Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection (Committee) will hold its ninth meeting in the Media Center at DOT headquarters in Washington, DC.  The Committee is tasked with evaluating existing aviation consumer protection programs and providing recommendations to the Secretary for improving such programs or establishing additional programs. The committee will discuss the recommendations submitted to it during the past three public meetings on the following subjects: voice calls, government-imposed taxes and fees, airline mergers and consolidations, space allocated per passenger on aircraft, airline frequent flyer programs, airline change/cancellation fees, mandatory hotel resort fees, and baggage allowances, fees and interlining.  The committee will also provide its preliminary recommendations to the Department which will form the basis for a report to the Secretary on improvements to existing aviation consumer protection programs. To register to attend the meeting, please contact Amy Przybyla at przybylaa@centratechnology.com or (703) 894–6962.  DOT will also stream the event live and provide a link to the recorded webcast for future viewing at www.dot.gov/airconsumer/ACACP.  Media Contact:  Caitlin Harvey:  (202) 366-4570.

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