DOT Proposes Airlines Pay at Least $200 Cash for ‘Stranded’ Passengers | Global News Avenue

The U.S. Department of Transportation on Thursday issued demands for airlines that “stranded” passengers, including at least $200 in cash compensation.

In addition to automatic cash payments for delays of three hours or more, the Department of Transportation recommends that airlines “rebook passengers on the next available flight at no charge and pay for meals, overnight accommodations and related transportation costs when delays are caused by the airline,” Such as mechanical problems or IT airline system failures.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation noted that “U.S. airlines received $54 billion in taxpayer relief during the COVID-19 pandemic,” adding European Union (EU)The UK and Canada “have taken consumer protection measures to compensate passengers and provide services when airlines cause significant delays.”

“Now that we are on the other side of the pandemic and air travel is breaking records, we must continue to strengthen protections for our passengers,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “This action we are announcing is Another step towards a better era for commercial air travel, in which the flying public is better protected and passengers do not bear the cost of disruption caused by airlines.”

In late October, DOT Rules take effect Requires airlines to automatically refund passengers when flights are canceled or “significantly changed,” luggage is lost or amenities they paid for are not provided.

It’s unclear how likely these proposals are to come to fruition. The public has 60 days to comment, by which time Trump will usher in a second administration whose priorities may differ from those of the current Department of Transportation under President Joe Biden.