New York’s Governor, Eliot Spitzer, signed legislation Thursday to protect airline passengers who have boarded an airplane and are delayed more than three hours on a runway prior to takeoff. The airline passenger ‘bill of rights’, which is set to become effective January 1, 2008, penalizes airline companies if they do not provide adequate amenities, such as food, water, light, sanitary restrooms and fresh air to New York airport passengers during lengthy delays. The bill also establishes an Airline Consumer Advocate Office to work with the Attorney General in reporting and investigating passenger complaints. Penalties for airlines who violate the bill include fines of up to $1,000 per passenger.

Opponents claim the legislation could cause complications, such as labor safety problems that may arise when providing additional food and water during severe weather and cancellations due to regulations that limit the amount of time airplane staff may spend on an aircraft and the time required for an airplane to leave the tarmac to obtain supplies.

Currently, government regulations do not limit the time frame within which passengers may be kept on the airplane during delays, but only require the airlines to make “reasonable efforts” to provide food, water, toilets and medical care.

Source: http://news.findlaw.com/ap/o/51/08-02-2007/59f70007fe7f53f6.html;

http://www.newyorkbusiness.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070802/FREE/70802009/1066