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News Digest DOT 107-16

Friday, August 26, 2016

DOT Fines Air Canada for Violating Rules Protecting Air Travelers with Disabilities.  The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) fined Air Canada $225,000 for violating the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and the Department’s disability regulation by not adequately responding to complaints filed by passengers with disabilities on numerous occasions and by limiting acceptance of service animals to animals that have been trained by specific organizations and animals that are harnessed.  The airline was also ordered to cease and desist from future similar violations.  The ACAA prohibits airlines from discriminating against individuals with disabilities.  Under DOT rules, airlines are required to provide a written dispositive response to a written complaint alleging a violation of the ACAA within 30 days of receipt of the complaint.  In addition, airlines are prohibited from requiring that a service animal be harnessed or requiring that training be from a specific organization.  The consent order is a result of an on-site regulatory compliance inspection conducted by the Department’s Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings.  The consent order is available at www.regulations.gov, docket DOT-OST-2016-0002.  Contact:  Caitlin Harvey:  (202) 366-4570.

FHWA Seeks Nominations for Emergency Route Working Group.  The Federal Highway Administration this week announced it is seeking nominations for appointment to the Emergency Route Working Group (ERWG), a federal advisory committee, established under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. The ERWG will provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation on the implementation of best practices for expeditious state approval of special permits for vehicles involved in emergency response and recovery.   FHWA will select up to 25 members for the ERWG from the public and private sectors, including representatives from state departments of transportation and emergency response and safety groups. Additional information on the nomination process is available from the Federal Register Notice. Nominations must be received on or before September 23, 2016.  For more information, please email erwg@dot.gov.   Media Contact:  Nancy Singer 202-366-4650.

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