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US abandons Biden's plan that would have required airlines to compensate for flight disruptions

The Trump administration announced on Thursday that it would abandon a plan from his predecessor to force airlines to compensate passengers in cash when they cause flight delays or cancellations within the United States.

In December, under the then-President Joe Biden, the U.S. Transportation Department sought public comments on the rulemaking processes regarding whether airlines should have to pay up to $775 per hour for delays that exceed three hours in the United States. U.S. Airlines strongly criticized the proposal.

In a document published on Thursday, the White House stated that USDOT intends to withdraw this notice "consistently with departmental and administrative priorities."

Biden stated that his administration will write rules in May 2023 requiring airlines compensate passengers for flight disruptions.

Airlines for America (a trade group that represents American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines) did not comment immediately, but stated last year the plan of Biden would increase ticket prices.

In the U.S., airlines must reimburse passengers for cancelled flights but not for delayed flights. Major carriers by 2022

Commit to paying for meals

When flight delays are significant, they can result in hotel expenses and other costs.

Canada, Brazil, European Union, and the United Kingdom have all adopted airline delay compensation rules.

USDOT announced in December that it would be examining whether airlines should cover meal costs, hotel expenses and other costs following carrier disruptions. It also considered whether airlines should be required to rebook customers on the next flight available, or, if there is no flight for 24 hours, they could have to use their competitors.

The Trump administration is taking other steps to reverse Biden's airline consumer initiatives.

Justice Department May 2015

Dropped a lawsuit against

Southwest Airlines was accused of operating illegally delayed flights by the Biden Administration in its final days. (Reporting and editing by Rod Nickel, David Gregorio and David Shepardson)

(source: Reuters)