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riers under subchapter II of chapter 417 of title 49, 
United States Code, to compensate such carriers for in-
creased aviation fuel costs, without regard to any agree-
ment or requirement relating to the renegotiation of con-
tracts or any notice requirement under section 41734 of 
such title. 
(b) EXPEDITED PROCESS FOR ADJUSTMENTS TO IN-
DIVIDUAL CONTRACTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 41734(d) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘con-
tinue to pay’’ and all that follows through ‘‘com-
pensation sufficient—’’ and inserting ‘‘provide the 
carrier with compensation sufficient—’’. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made 
by paragraph (1) shall apply to compensation to air 
carriers for air service provided after the 30th day 
following the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 418. REVIEW OF AIR CARRIER FLIGHT DELAYS, CAN-
CELLATIONS, AND ASSOCIATED CAUSES. 
(a) REVIEW.—The Inspector General of the Depart-
ment of Transportation shall conduct a review regarding 
air carrier flight delays, cancellations, and associated 
causes to update its 2000 report numbered CR–2000–112 
and entitled ‘‘Audit of Air Carrier Flight Delays and Can-
cellations’’. 
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(b) ASSESSMENTS.—In conducting the review under 
subsection (a), the Inspector General shall assess— 
(1) the need for an update on delay and can-
cellation statistics, such as number of chronically de-
layed flights and taxi-in and taxi-out times; 
(2) air carriers’ scheduling practices; 
(3) the need for a re-examination of capacity 
benchmarks at the Nation’s busiest airports; 
(4) the impact of flight delays and cancellations 
on air travelers, including recommendations for pro-
grams that could be implemented to address the im-
pact of flight delays on air travelers; and 
(5) the effect that limited air carrier service op-
tions on routes have on the frequency of delays and 
cancellations on such routes. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
a report on the results of the review conducted under this 
section, including the assessments described in subsection 
(b). 
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SEC. 419. EUROPEAN UNION RULES FOR PASSENGER 
RIGHTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General shall 
conduct a study to evaluate and compare the regulations 
of the European Union and the United States on com-
pensation and other consideration offered to passengers 
who are denied boarding or whose flights are cancelled or 
delayed. 
(b) SPECIFIC STUDY REQUIREMENTS.—The study 
shall include an evaluation and comparison of the regula-
tions based on costs to the air carriers, preferences of pas-
sengers for compensation or other consideration, and 
forms of compensation. In conducting the study, the 
Comptroller General shall also take into account the dif-
ferences in structure and size of the aviation systems of 
the European Union and the United States. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
submit a report to Congress on the results of the study. 
SEC. 420. ESTABLISHMENT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR 
AVIATION CONSUMER PROTECTION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation 
shall establish an advisory committee for aviation con-
sumer protection (in this section referred to as the ‘‘advi-
sory committee’’) to advise the Secretary in carrying out 
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air passenger service improvements, including those re-
quired by chapter 423 of title 49, United States Code. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Secretary shall appoint 8 
members to the advisory committee as follows: 
(1) Two representatives of air carriers required 
to submit emergency contingency plans pursuant to 
section 42301 of title 49, United States Code. 
(2) Two representatives of the airport operators 
required to submit emergency contingency plans pur-
suant to section 42301 of such title. 
(3) Two representatives of State and local gov-
ernments who have expertise in aviation consumer 
protection matters. 
(4) Two representatives of nonprofit public in-
terest groups who have expertise in aviation con-
sumer protection matters. 
(c) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the advisory com-
mittee shall be filled in the manner in which the original 
appointment was made. 
(d) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Members of the advisory 
committee shall serve without pay but shall receive travel 
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in ac-
cordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United 
States Code. 
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(e) CHAIRPERSON.—The Secretary shall designate, 
from among the individuals appointed under subsection 
(b), an individual to serve as chairperson of the advisory 
committee. 
(f) DUTIES.—The duties of the advisory committee 
shall include the following: 
(1) Evaluating existing aviation consumer pro-
tection programs and providing recommendations for 
the improvement of such programs, if needed. 
(2) Providing recommendations to establish ad-
ditional aviation consumer protection programs, if 
needed. 
(g) REPORT.—Not later than February 1 of each 
year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report con-
taining— 
(1) each recommendation made by the advisory 
committee during the preceding calendar year; and 
(2) an explanation of how the Secretary has im-
plemented each recommendation and, for each rec-
ommendation not implemented, the Secretary’s rea-
son for not implementing the recommendation. 
SEC. 421. DENIED BOARDING COMPENSATION. 
Not later than May 19, 2010, and every 2 years 
thereafter, the Secretary shall evaluate the amount pro-
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