14 CFR Part 382 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel (Air Carrier Access Act): Preamble and Section-by-Section Analysis (with amendments issued through July 2010)

A. Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

This action has been determined to be significant under Executive Order 12866 and the Department of Transportation Regulatory Policies and Procedures. It extends regulatory coverage under the ACAA to foreign carriers for the first time and adds requirements concerning passengers who use medical oxygen and accommodations for deaf and hard-of-hearing passengers. These are areas of considerable importance to passengers and air carriers and are of interest to the public and members of Congress.

The costs and benefits of the rule are summarized in the following tables, taken from the regulatory evaluation. It is very important to keep in mind that, in the Department’s view, this rule has very significant nonquantifiable benefits, which these tables do not address. These nonquantifiable benefits include increased opportunities for individuals with disabilities to access the air travel system without discrimination and with fewer unnecessary barriers. This access opens up business and personal travel opportunities and the personal and economic benefits that result from the increased chance to travel. These nonquantifiable benefits make the rule cost-beneficial, even without considering the significant economic benefits displayed in the tables below.

Table A: Summary of Foreign Carrier Cost and Benefit Estimates

(Millions 2005$)

Table B: Summary of Deaf and Hard-of Hearing Cost and Benefit Estimates

(Millions 2005$)

Table C: Summary of Medical Oxygen Cost and Benefit

Estimates (Millions 2005$)

Table D: Aggregate Cost and Benefit Estimates

(Millions 2005$)