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United States seeks comment on airline traveler cash settlement proposition

The U.S. Department of Transportation stated on Thursday it was seeking public comment on whether airline companies must be required to pay passengers money settlement when flight disruptions are triggered by carriers.

The USDOT is offering the public 60 days to comment as it launches the rulemaking process but stopped short of issuing a. official proposition. It will be up to President-elect Donald Trump's. administration to choose whether to pursue guidelines. Trump. has promised to slash regulations broadly.

It's really sensible to say you have some settlement for. your time and some protections, U.S. Transport Secretary. Pete Buttigieg said in an interview at an air travel occasion.

He stated payment rules for delays would change the. economic reward in a way that encourages airlines to do more.

In May 2023, President Joe Biden said his administration. would write guidelines needing airline companies to compensate travelers. for interfered with flights and said the USDOT would release a proposition. by the end of 2023.

Canada, Brazil, the European Union and the UK. all have airline delay payment rules however Buttigieg said the. USDOT is not copypasting Europe's guidelines.

The USDOT desires comment on whether airlines ought to be. needed to pay $200-$ 300 for domestic hold-ups of at least 3. hours, $375-$ 525 for six-hour delays, and $750-$ 775 for. nine-hour delays.

Airlines for America, a trade group representing American. Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines. and others, dramatically criticized the proposal. Airlines. have actually sparred with USDOT over flight disturbances and sued to. block USDOT's charge disclosure rules.

Mandating extra cash payment - beyond what. airlines currently supply - will increase ticket prices, the. group stated. This proposition is simply one in a long string of. ill-conceived and rushed rules from an administration intent on. reregulating the U.S. airline company market.

Airlines should refund travelers for canceled flights, however. are not required to compensate consumers for delays. Major. providers have actually dedicated to spending for meals, hotel stays and. other costs when they trigger considerable flight interruptions.

Buttigieg kept in mind, however, that the USDOT had actually required and. prodded airline companies to do more.

I'm not extremely amazed that when we require them to. deal with travelers better they're going to resist, he said.

The USDOT is thinking about whether little airline companies must pay. less, if compensation should be required when guests are. informed well in advance, and if airlines should cover meals,. hotel stays and other costs after carrier disruptions.

The USDOT is also considering needing airline companies to rebook. passengers on their next offered flights, or if flights are. unavailable for 24 hours, possibly needing them to use. rivals.

It is uncertain if the USDOT requires additional authority from. Congress to mandate delay payment.

Buttigieg has actually taken an assertive method to investigating. airline companies. He stated the USDOT is working to finalize household. seating and wheelchair guidelines by Jan. 20.

(source: Reuters)