Air Carrier Access Act Technical Assistance Manual (2005)

QUESTION: How can I find out information on the number and types of disability-related complaints filed with DOT against specific airlines?

ANSWER: DOT’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division publishes a monthly Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) which provides information on the number of disability-related complaints received each month by DOT. The ATCR can be accessed at http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov. In addition, an amendment to DOT’s disability rule (part 382) that came into effect on August 7, 2003, requires U.S. and foreign airlines operating passenger-carrying flights to and from the United States with aircraft having a designed seating capacity of more than 60 seats to report annually to DOT on the number and type of written disability-related complaints that they receive. These individual carrier reports will contain summary information on the number of such complaints, the type of disability, and the nature of the complaint. The first such report, which covers written complaints received by the airlines during calendar year 2004, was due by January 25, 2005. DOT intends to provide a summary report to Congress, which will be available to the public. [Section 382.70]