AT SCHUMERS REQUEST, JETBLUE AND DELTA AIRLINES TO DROP CHANGE FEES FOR TEACHERS AND FAMILIES OF STUDENTS WHO HAD TO CANCEL OR MOVE THEIR VACATIONS BECAUSE THEIR WINTER BREAKS WERE CANCELLED IN THE WAKE OF HURRICANE SANDY
brbrYesterday Schumer Urged Airlines and Cruise Lines to Consider a Special Refund or Credit Plan for Families and Teachers Affected by Superstorm Sandy Who Are Forced to Cancel Upcoming Midwinter Vacation Plans brbrDozens of Long Island And New York City School Districts Had To Cancel Their Winter Break To Make Up For Days Lost To SandybrbrSchumer: JetBlue and Delta Have Stepped Up To The Plate, and Other Airlines and Cruise Lines Should Follow Suitbrbr
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer released the following statement today after JetBlue and Delta Airlines agreed to his request to drop flight change and rebooking fees for teachers and the families of students who had their winter break cancelled because of superstorm Sandy. Because of the days missed during the storm, school districts across New York and Long Island cancelled their winter breaks, leaving those who had booked vacation during that time saddled with hundreds of dollars in fees to change their flights and rebook their vacations. Both airlines waived change fees for those who were scheduled to travel between February 15 th and 24 th.
"JetBlue and Delta have stepped up to the plate for those teachers and families with students whose travel plans have been ruined by Superstorm Sandy now other airlines and cruise lines should follow suit ASAP," said Schumer. "Having to cancel a long planned vacation because of the storm is bad, but being forced to shell out hundreds or thousands in cancellation or change fees is worse."
Schumer's original letter can be found below and his original release can be found here.
Nicholas E. Calio
President and CEO
Airlines for America
Christine Duffy
President and CEO
Cruise Lines International Association
Dear Mr. Calio and Ms. Duffy,
I am writing you today to bring to your attention that, as a result of Superstorm Sandy, schoolchildren, faculty, and their families will be forced to cancel upcoming midwinter break vacation plans. I urge you to commit to work with the victims of the storm as they have to cancel their vacation plans.
A majority of Long Island school districts are likely to cancel midwinter breaks to make up for lost days due to Superstorm Sandy and New York City schools have already announced that they will be cutting the midwinter break by three days. State law requires districts to be in session a minimum of 180 days a year and makeup days cannot be during July, August, or on most legal holidays. The upcoming winter months further complicates the situation as schools may face the possibility of further closures due to inclement weather. This allows for little time for school districts to make up the extensive amount of days lost.
Many of these schoolchildren, faculty, and families have gone through extreme personal and economic hardship and I urge you to take into consideration the unique and unpredictable circumstances that these families were forced into by this devastating storm. Thank you for your attention to this important request. Please contact my Washington office at 2022246542 with any questions.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
U. S. Senator
