The Biden administration is considering new rules that would require airlines to pay passengers for significant delays over which the airline has control.
The U.S. Department of Transportation on Thursday launched a rulemaking process, billed as a measure to “protect passengers stranded by airlines,” that is now open for public comment.
It aims to set basic standards for what airlines must give passengers in the event of disruptions, including a cancellation or long delay due to aviation-related circumstances, such as a mechanical problem or an IT system failure.
The proposed standards include requiring airlines to compensate passengers for delays on a differentiated scale: $200 to $300 for domestic delays of at least three hours, $375 to $525 for delays of at least six hours, and $750 to $775 for delays of at least nine hours. .
The department is also considering whether small airlines should pay less than large ones and whether compensation should be required if a passenger is notified a week or two in advance of the cancellation or significant delay.
Other proposals include requiring airlines to rebook passengers on the next available flight at no additional cost, including meals, lodging and associated transportation costs for stranded passengers.
The public has 60 days to comment.
According to airline data provided to the DOT, in 2022 and 2023, more than 60% of domestic flight delays of three hours or more were “airline caused.”
Further, Congress’ Government Accountability Office found that flight cancellations from July 2021 to April 2022 potentially affected more than 15 million passengers and delays potentially affected more than 116 million people.
The press release noted that Britain, the EU, Canada and Brazil have consumer protections to compensate passengers and provide services with significant delays.
“One study found that European Union compensation and service requirements reduced the likelihood and duration of flight delays,” the DOT said in a news release.
Currently, airlines are required to refund passengers for canceled flights, but there are no mandates for delays. Several airlines must provide at least $50 in credits or vouchers for disruptions, the DOT said.
The DOT noted that 10 major U.S. airlines have already committed to rebooking stranded passengers at no additional cost and covering meals during aviation-related disruptions, and nine have committed to providing accommodations and related transportation costs.
“However, airlines may change course at their discretion regarding their customer service obligations, and it is often up to the airlines to determine when they are responsible for a flight delay or cancellation,” the DOT notice said.
Airlines For America, a trade group representing American Airlines, United and Delta and others, criticized the news, saying: “A4A airlines offer automatic refunds if the passenger chooses not to be rebooked – regardless of whether the significant delay or cancellation is within the specified period falls. control of the carrier – as well as providing compensation for food, transportation and lodging for significant manageable delays.”
The group said mandating additional cash compensation “will drive up ticket prices, make air travel less accessible to price-sensitive travelers and negatively impact airline operations.”
The group called on the Biden administration to focus on other issues in the aviation sector, such as the shortage of air traffic controllers and Federal Aviation Administration infrastructure.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
