Thursday, August 04, 2011
Federal transportation officials have decided to not delay three “airline passenger rights” provisions from taking effect this year, much to the consternation of airlines and travel agents.
The new rules require airlines to pay customers more money when bumping them from over-booked flights, publish all fees for optional aviation services on a carrier’s website, and allow passengers on international flights to deplane if they end up on a tarmac for four hours.
But the Department of Transportation will delay until January other provisions of its “Enhancing Airline Passenger Protections” regulations, including requirements that advertised fares must include all taxes and fees and that passengers be notified of flight status changes within 30 minutes of any developments.
The department also decided to postpone a requirement of airlines and ticket sellers to hold reservations for 24 hours before requiring consumers to purchase a ticket.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Airlines' Plea to Delay 'Passenger Rights' Denied (by Travis Sanford, Courthouse News Service)
DOT Delays Implementation of Several Passenger Rights Rules (by Andrew Compart, Aviation Week)
Delta Airlines Accused of Hacking Passenger Rights Group (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)
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