Politics
DOT Proposes Additional Consumer Protections For Air Travelers
In this Feb. 22, 2010 file photo, Frontier Airlines jetliners sit stacked up at gates along the A concourse at Denver International Airport. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
(Aviation News Today) – DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx Wednesday proposed new air traveler consumer protections that would require the disclosure of fees for certain basic airline services such as checked baggage, require more carriers to report their performance data to DOT, and codify the department’s definition of a ticket agent to ensure that companies that offer flight search tools and receive a form of compensation are adhering to the department’s consumer protection requirements.
Under the proposed rule, airlines and ticket agents would be required to disclose fees for certain basic, additional services associated with airline tickets at all points of sale. The proposal defines these services as first checked bag, second checked bag, one carry-on item, and advance seat assignment.
The proposed rule also would expand the pool of carriers that would be required to report information to DOT about their on-time performance, oversales, and mishandled baggage rates.
