HR 3477119th CongressIntroduced

Ensuring Airline Resiliency to Reduce Delays and Cancellations Act

Introduced: May 17, 2025

InfrastructureLabor & EmploymentTechnology & Innovation

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill, titled the Ensuring Airline Resiliency to Reduce Delays and Cancellations Act, would require the Secretary of Transportation to compel certain air carriers to develop and regularly update an “operational resiliency strategy.” The goal is to prevent or lessen the impact of future flight disruptions (such as severe weather and other anticipated events) on passengers. The strategies must address impacts on operations, staffing, technology systems (including crew scheduling), and cybersecurity, and must identify other issues the Secretary deems relevant to protecting consumers and maintaining aviation system stability. The Act also creates confidentiality protections for proprietary information, requires a Government Accountability Office (GAO) evaluation within three years, and calls for a follow-up report to Congress within a year after the audit. The term “covered carrier” refers to carriers defined in existing aviation regulations.

Key Points

1The Secretary of Transportation must require each covered carrier to develop and regularly update an operational resiliency strategy within one year after enactment.
2The strategy must cover: potential impacts of severe weather and other disruptions; staffing models and the ability to reschedule passengers and personnel; the readiness of information and technology systems (including crew scheduling) to continue operations; preparedness to handle other disruptive events; cybersecurity risks and IT deficiencies; and any other issues the Secretary considers important for consumer protection and operational stability.
3The Secretary must protect confidential or proprietary information submitted in these strategies.
4The Comptroller General (GAO) must conduct an audit within three years to evaluate the effectiveness of the carriers’ resiliency strategies, solicit carrier feedback, and then submit a findings report to Congress within one year after the audit.
5The bill does not expand the Secretary’s authority beyond requiring resiliency strategies, but it allows for assessment and provision of guidance and technical assistance as needed.
6The term “covered carrier” aligns with the definition in 14 CFR 259.3 (or successor regulations).

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Covered air carriers subject to 14 CFR 259.3 (likely major, national, and regional carriers currently regulated under aviation consumer protections); these carriers would incur new obligations to develop and maintain resiliency plans.Secondary group/area affected: Passengers and travelers, who should benefit from fewer and less severe delays/cancellations due to more resilient operations; airline workforce (staffing, scheduling, and management) and airline IT/cybersecurity operations will experience changes in planning and investment.Additional impacts: The Department of Transportation’s regulatory and oversight framework would gain a formal mechanism to evaluate and improve resilience planning; carriers may face compliance costs and procedural changes to develop and update strategies; there may be increased emphasis on cybersecurity risk management and data protection for sensitive operational information.

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