LOS ANGELES -- The U.S. Travel Association is warning that a proposal to limit biometric facial recognition in airports could lead to massive travel delays.
An amendment put forth by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) to the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill could result in travelers waiting an additional 120 million hours in TSA lines each year, the association said.
"The proposed amendment to FAA reauthorization is dangerous, costly and threatens to create chaos at America's airports," said Geoff Freeman, CEO of U.S. Travel, while hosting its annual IPW conference here. "Eliminating the use of biometrics -- such as facial scans -- will set America back by decades and only misinformed members of Congress are to blame."
The Merkley-Kennedy amendment would ban the expansion of TSA's facial-recognition technology unless TSA complies with what U.S. Travel calls "costly and unworkable" requirements. In a statement about the proposal, Kennedy said, "Every day, TSA scans thousands of Americans' faces without their permission and without making it clear that travelers can opt out of the invasive screening."
The amendment could be voted on this week, before the Friday deadline to renew the FAA reauthorization bill.
Destination executives at IPW also expressed concern about the amendment and its potential to decelerate the use of biometrics.
"It's not a coincidence that growth in international visitation tracks with the easing of friction points in travel," said Fred Dixon, CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions. "We support making sure that biometrics remain on the table and ease of access remains a top priority."
U.S. Travel said that two-thirds of flyers widely support the technology, which they can choose to opt out of, and that it is in place at many of the largest and busiest airports in the U.S.
"The idea that we would take away the thing we use every 30 seconds to open our iPhone is foolhardy," Freeman said of facial-recognition technology, adding that "it's a distinct possibility it will pass. The sponsors are not giving up. They refuse to listen to reason on some of this. Those pictures taken in the airport are deleted within seven seconds -- this outsize concern about government surveillance seems to be inhibiting the ability of people to understand the facts of what happens. Give people options, that's all we're asking for."
The facial-recognition amendment is just one of dozens of amendments, many of which aren't related to aviation, that have been filed by senators this week. The amendments and ongoing negotiations could force Congress to pass another short-term FAA funding bill in lieu of meeting the Friday deadline.
Good news for travel advisors
The Merkley-Kennedy amendment could have a better chance of passage than many of the amendments. Politico reported Tuesday that the amendment, along with one that would strike a measure currently in the bill to add five new daily flights at Washington Reagan National Airport beyond its 1,250-mile perimeter, is part of a package of measures that Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer is prepared to bring to the floor for a vote.
Another amendment is an ASTA-backed measured sponsored by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) that would relieve travel agencies and other ticket agents from being on the hook for refunds on flights for which airlines hold the funds. The measure would counter a new Transportation Department rule requiring ticket agents to pay refunds when they are the merchant of record for a ticket, even when airlines possess the money.
ASTA estimates that agencies are the merchant of record on 5% to 8% of tickets they book, with most of those being group bookings.
Congressional leaders, meanwhile, appear to have resolved another dispute related to refunds. Senate negotiators agreed Tuesday to revised language that is similar to an amendment filed by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) that would require refunds by default for travelers whose flight has been canceled or significantly delayed, and who don't accept a credit or re-accommodation.
The revision aligns the FAA bill with provisions in the new DOT refund rule. Language included in the bill last week would have required flyers to request a refund.