Major airlines urge Trump administration to abandon passenger compensation reviews

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Major US airlines on Tuesday called on the US Department of Transportation to abandon a Biden administration’s start review of whether airlines are needed to pay passenger compensation for flight interruptions. Ta.

Airlines for the US, a trade group representing US Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, urge the Trump administration to end reviews launched in December, with US airlines compensated for carriers I was urged to comment on whether or not I should provide cash for it. It caused confusion as it should be done in the European Union and Canada.

“Airlines do not require further incentives to provide quality services,” the group wrote, with USDOT having no legal authority, and requirements significantly increasing airline costs and ticket prices. He insisted that he would lift it up.

The International Air Transport Association, which represents airlines around the world, has separately criticised the idea that the required compensation program “is becoming a wealth transfer tool for airlines with billions of dollars in costs.”

Spirit Airlines said the idea was very extreme. “If there are potential safety-related concerns, we may encourage carriers to reevaluate them as they proceed with flights that should be further delayed or cancelled.”

USDOT in December comments on whether airlines will have to pay $200 to $300 for at least three-hour domestic delays, $375-525 for six-hour delays and $750-775 for nine-hour delays I asked for this.

Then Transport Director Pete Battigigue said in December the delay compensation rules would “change economic incentives in ways that motivate airlines to do more.”

In May 2023, President Joe Biden said he would write rules that require his administration to compensate airlines for passengers in a few months.

Airlines will need to refund passengers on cancelled flights, but do not need to compensate customers for delays.

Large airlines are working to pay for food, hotel stays and other expenses if they cause a significant flight interruption.

Last month, a US court called for the Biden administration’s 2024 rules to require airline service charges to be paid upfront, stating that USDOT did not comply with procedural rules.

(Reporting by David Shepardson, Editing by Bill Berkrot)