Ensuring Safe Accommodations for Air Travelers With Disabilities Using Wheelchairs

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Transportation Office of the Secretary 14 CFR Part 382 [Docket No. DOT-OST-2022-0144] RIN 2105-AF14 AGENCY: Office of the Secretary (OST), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT or the Department) is issuing a final rule to strengthen its regulation implementing the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and to address the serious problems that individuals with disabilities using wheelchairs and scooters face when traveling by air that impact their safety and dignity, including mishandled wheelchairs and scooters and improper transfers to and from aircraft seats, aisle chairs, and personal wheelchairs. This final rule also carries out certain rulemaking provisions required by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. DATES: This rule is effective January 16, 2025. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Miller, Vinh Nguyen, Robert Gorman, or Blane Workie, Office of Aviation Consumer Protection, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590, 202-366-9342 (phone), 202-366-7152 (fax), christopher.miller1@dot.gov , vinh.nguyen@dot.gov , robert.gorman@dot.gov , or blane.workie@dot.gov (email). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Executive Summary A. Purpose of the Regulatory Action The purpose of this final rule is to increase access to safe and dignified air travel for individuals with disabilities. The Department is committed to ensuring that our air transportation system is sa…