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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, July 21, 2017
Friday, July 21, 2017
MEDIA CONTACT:
Abigail Lootens / Christine Gianakis
Department of Consumer Affairs
(212) 436-0042
press@dca.nyc.gov
Abigail Lootens / Christine Gianakis
Department of Consumer Affairs
(212) 436-0042
press@dca.nyc.gov
City Hall in Your Borough: Department of Consumer of Affairs Finds New York City Airport Scales Accurate
NEW YORK, NY–Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Lorelei Salas today announced the results of the Department’s enforcement sweep of every airline luggage scale used at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in Queens to protect travelers from luggage overcharges. DCA inspected 754 scales at the two airports and found 98 percent were accurate.
“New Yorkers and visitors alike can rest assured that when they leave one of New York City’s Queens-based airports, they will not be overcharged for their luggage because of its weight,” said DCA Commissioner Lorelei Salas. “With weight restrictions for carry-on baggage and fees for checked and overweight baggage, fliers need to know that their luggage is being weighed accurately. I commend the airlines on their high compliance.”
DCA inspected 606 luggage scales at JFK and 148 luggage scales at LGA for a total of 754 at both airports with the majority of scales passing. DCA issued stop-use orders for 15 faulty scales—nine at JFK and six at LGA—and instructed the airlines and terminal management that the scales must be repaired. Four of the 15 faulty scales were weighing under the actual weight. When scales do not read accurately, DCA issues a stop-use order and requires the airline to repair the scale within five business days. DCA will re-inspect the scales before they can be used. New York City’s airport scales are consistently accurate with the compliance rate in 2015 also being 98 percent.
DCA enforces the City’s Weights and Measures Law and inspects thousands of scales each year in grocery stores, bodegas, laundries, delis, the city’s airports, and other businesses across the city.
The NYC Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) protects and enhances the daily economic lives of New Yorkers to create thriving communities. DCA licenses more than 81,000 businesses in more than 50 industries and enforces key consumer protection, licensing, and workplace laws that apply to countless more. By supporting businesses through equitable enforcement and access to resources and, by helping to resolve complaints, DCA protects the marketplace from predatory practices and strives to create a culture of compliance. Through its community outreach and the work of its offices of Financial Empowerment and Labor Policy & Standards, DCA empowers consumers and working families by providing the tools and resources they need to be educated consumers and to achieve financial health and work-life balance. DCA also conducts research and advocates for public policy that furthers its work to support New York City’s communities. For more information about DCA and its work, call 311 or visit DCA at nyc.gov/dca or on its social media sites, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.