US: GOP befriends airline passengers, up to a point

Republican leaders are lauding an aviation policy bill before the Senate as the most passenger friendly in years, but there are limits to friendship. In an election year that has thus far been defined by populist rage, Republicans are walking a fine line as they seek to respond to passengers angered at their treatment by airlines without violating conservative tenets by imposing potentially costly regulations on a major industry. "I know there are some who think we should go further and re-regulate the airline industry, but we know deregulation has helped make air travel more accessible and more affordable for families and business travelers," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. He defended the GOP position in favor of some consumer reforms in the bill but against proposals by Democrats to add more teeth to them. Public complaints to the DoT about airlines jumped 34% last year to the highest level since 2000, even though consumer advocates say many passengers don't know where to turn when they think they've been treated unfairly. Story lists provisions.<br/>