For over 15 years, AFA has actively supported the use of mandatory child restraint seats for children under two on aircraft. Flight attendants have been joined by carriers and consumer groups in calling for the use of child restraint seats. In fact, to help alleviate any financial concerns on the part of traveling parents, all the major carriers began offering children under two 50 percent discounted seats in 1997. In addition, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has long recommended the establishment of the requirement for child restraint seats for children under the age of two.

In 1979, the NTSB issued its first recommendation by calling on the FAA to expedite research with a view toward early rulemaking on the most effective restraints for infants and small children. Yet, even after 20 years and despite the NTSB's statement that "unrestrained infants and children are not being offered the same level of protection as other occupants," the FAA has still not enacted a rule to protect the youngest traveler.

In 1999, the NTSB held a two-day meeting regarding on board child restraints. During the meeting, FAA Administrator Jane Garvey announced that the FAA would write a proposed rule in 2000 making the use of child restraint seats mandatory in all aircraft. To date, no rule has been written. The FAA encourages parents to voluntarily restrain their children in airplanes through an educational campaign. AFA and NTSB believe that this campaign is inadequate and insufficient in protecting young children.

Too many unrestrained children have been needlessly killed during crashes or injured during turbulence or emergency landings. It is time to provide children, under two years of age, the same protections as all other passengers. AFA will continue working to pass legislation that mandates the use of child restraint seats on aircraft. AFA asks for Congress to develop responsible and cost effective guidelines for airlines and the FAA.