New DOT consumer rule limits airline tarmac delays, provides other passenger protections

US Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood, announced (21-Dec-2009) a new rule prohibiting US carriers operating domestic services from permitting an aircraft to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours without deplaning passengers, with exceptions allowed only for safety or security or if air traffic control advises the pilot in command that returning to the terminal would disrupt airport operations. [more] [more - ATA] [more - Perspective]