SENATE PANEL APPROVES LEGISLATION TO REAUTHORIZE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION Bill Includes Legislation Championed by Lautenberg to Improve Runway Safety & Cabin Air Quality, require Passenger Bill of RightsWASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee recently approved legislation to reauthorize programs within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  The FAA reauthorization bill included provisions championed by Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg to improve runway safety, expand a Department of Transportation Consumer Complaint line, improve air quality in the cabin, phase out noisy aircraft, and continue the ban of large aircraft at Teterboro Airport.  The legislation also includes an Airline Passenger Bill of Rights that Senator Lautenberg has long advocated for the flying public.  It must next be considered by the full Senate."This legislation builds upon a runway safety law I wrote in 2005 by requiring the FAA to develop a plan to reduce runway incursions and create a tracking system to properly document operational errors and other incidents," said Sen. Lautenberg.  "This bill takes long-overdue steps to protect passengers with an Airline Passenger Bill of Rights and continues the work I started to expand an Airline Consumer Complaint line.  It also seeks to improve the occupational health conditions for the men and women who serve airline passengers every day by working to ensure the air in our plane cabins is safe."The Federal Aviation Authorization Act authorizes federal funds for the modernization of the air traffic control system and improve the safety, reliability and availability of transportation by air across the country. Below are the Lautenberg sponsored or co-sponsored provisions contained in the Federal Aviation Authorization Act:· Runway Safety - Requires the FAA to issue a plan to reduce runway incursions no later than December 2009 with a requirement for the plan to be integrated into the FAA's modernization plan; requires the FAA to develop a plan to reduce runway incursions through various airport runway improvements; and requires the FAA to develop a tracking system of operational errors and runway incursions. · Air quality in the aircraft cabin - It has been a longstanding concern of flight attendants and pilot groups that the air supply onboard the aircraft can at times become contaminated with highly toxic chemicals.  Lautenberg's legislation requires the FAA to begin research and the development of sensor and air cleaning technology to ensure the air in a plane cabin is safe. · DOT Airline Consumer Complaint - Requires the DOT Secretary to investigate consumer complaints related to air travel. · Passenger Bill of Rights - Requires airlines to ensure passengers have adequate food, potable water, and restroom facilities; requires airlines to have a contingency plan for delays longer than three hours. · Additional Representation on Air Traffic Control Modernization Oversight Board - Ensures that the Oversight Board includes a representative of the employees responsible for the operation of the air traffic control system - air traffic controllers · Stage 2 Aircraft Ban - Phases out noisy Stage 2 aircraft. · Teterboro Airport Weight Restrictions - continues to prohibit the FAA from changing the weight restrictions at Teterboro Airport.             "In addition to creating sweeping national changes, this bill would protect New Jersey communities around Teterboro Airport from being exposed to larger, noisier planes that would serve as a major disruption to families, schools and businesses." concluded Sen. Lautenberg.###