Bill would standardize the way airlines disclose fees

WASHINGTON (AP) — The government would standardize the way airlines disclose fees for basic services like checked bags, seat assignments and ticket changes so that passengers can more easily comparison-shop the full cost of flights under a bipartisan Senate bill introduced Wednesday.

An FAA reauthorization bill that would have privatized air traffic control services was passed last month by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on a mostly party-line vote with Democrats unanimously opposed.

The bill has the backing of the committee's chairman, Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Pa., and the airline industry, but it was sidelined by House leaders in the face of opposition from other powerful GOP lawmakers and influential segments of the aviation industry.

Privatization supporters say it would make the funding of air traffic control operations more stable and speed up the modernization of the air traffic system from one based on radar to one based on satellite technology.

Besides provisions aimed at protecting airline passengers, the Senate bill also requires the government to set product safety standards for small drones and that consumers and hobbyists take an online safety knowledge test before they fly their unmanned vehicles.