Apparently, the Obama administration has taken notice of the tarmac horror stories that have been popping up all over the news about passengers being stuck in airplanes for more than three hours while they await takeoff. A new regulation from the Transportation Department sends a very clear message that airlines are to no longer hold travelers hostage on these delayed flights.

From January to June of this year, 613 planes were delayed on tarmacs for more than three hours. All of these flights kept their passengers on board the planes.

With new regulation, airlines operating domestic flights will only be able to keep passengers on board for three hours before they must allow passengers to disembark off the delayed flight. This regulation provides exceptions only for safety, security or if air traffic control advises the pilot in command that returning to the terminal would disrupt airport operations.

United States carriers operating international flights departing from or arriving in the United States must specify in advance their own time limits for deplaning passengers. Foreign carriers are not covered by these rules, of course.

All airlines will be required to provide food and water to all passengers within two hours of a plane being delayed. The plane is required to maintain operable lavatories for passengers as well. The flight crew will also have to provide passengers with medical attention when necessary.

Airlines will also be prohibited from scheduling chronically delayed flights. Carriers who fail to comply could face government enforcement action for using unfair or deceptive trade practices. This new regulation, which was published this past Monday, goes into effect in 120 days.