H.R. 3477 — Ensuring Airline Resiliency to Reduce Delays and Cancellations Act

This section requires the Secretary of Transportation, not later than one year after the date of enactment, to direct covered carriers (i.e., air carriers operating at least 0.5% of total domestic scheduled-service passenger enplanements, per 14 C.F.R. § 259.3) to develop and regularly update an operational resiliency strategy describing (1) potential impacts of severe weather and other disruptive events on carrier operations and mitigation measures to limit effects on passengers; (2) such events' effects on staffing models and information technology systems (including crew scheduling) and their preparedness; (3) readiness for other identified disruptive events; (4) measures addressing cybersecurity risks and IT vulnerabilities; and (5) other issues designated by the Secretary to protect consumers and airline stability. The section further directs the Comptroller General to initiate an audit of the strategies' effectiveness not later than three years after enactment—with stakeholder feedback—and submit a report to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation not later than one year after audit completion; requires the Secretary to protect proprietary information in the strategies; and clarifies that the provision grants no additional Secretary authority beyond requiring and assessing the strategies (with guidance permitted).