To amend the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 to allow passengers with disabilities to redress discrimination against them by commercial airlines in a private cause of action in federal district courts.
Why is this important?
In 1986, Congress enacted the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 to prohibit discrimination against passengers with disabilities by commercial airliners. However, recent federal court decisions have narrowly interpreted the statute to deny a private cause of action in federal district court. Congress clearly needs to include an EXPRESS private action in the ACAA to prohibit unjust, discriminatory treatment by air carriers.
