Long in favor of the legislation that protects consumers from lengthy airline delays and cancelations but opposed to the provisions that would leave travel agencies and advisors on the hook for footing the reimbursement, the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is applauding the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s vote to approve the ACPAC Modernization Act (H.R. 5663).

This bipartisan bill would add ticket agents to the congressionally mandated Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee (ACPAC) to ensure that consumer-facing travel advisors and businesses have a voice when stakeholders are reviewing and making recommendations on consumer protection activities to the Department of Transportation (DOT). H.R. 5663 was introduced by Rep. Dina Titus.

Travel advisors, according to ASTA, are the largest single sellers of airline tickets, issuing more than 781,000 per day, and accounting for $99.2 billion in sales in 2024. While airlines, airports and consumer groups each have a designated seat on the committee, travel advisors do not—even though they are intimately involved in the processes that are addressed by ACPAC.

“Given the critical role travel advisors play for both consumers and the broader marketplace, Congress should expand the ACPAC to include ticket agents and ensure that policymakers, regulators and travelers benefit from perspectives that are missing today. Recent DOT proposals on airline refunds and ancillary fee disclosures spotlight just how necessary the travel agency voice has become,” said Zane Kerby, ASTA president and CEO.

Prior to the House Committee voting for the bill, ASTA issued a letter of support for the legislation. The bill still needs to be passed by the House of Representatives and Senate before being sent to the president to be signed into law.