U.S. government issues new passenger protection rules for airlines

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced new passenger protection rules for airlines companies, according to The New York Times. The rules are aimed at growing concerns over airline fees.

New baggage rules require airlines to clearly disclose the cost of checking bags and to refund checked baggage fees if luggage is lost. The new rules also require fees for ticket and seat changes to be disclosed on the airline’s Web sites and advertisements. 

“Airline passengers have a right to be treated fairly,” Ray LaHood, the transportation secretary, said in a statement Tuesday. “It’s just common sense that if an airline loses your bag or you get bumped from a flight because it was oversold, you should be reimbursed. The additional passenger protections we’re announcing today will help make sure air travelers are treated with the respect they deserve.”

One new rule imposes a four-hour limit on time spent on the tarmac for delayed international flights, a rule that has been in place for domestic flights for over a year.

The Air Transport Association, the airlines’ trade group opposed extending tarmac delay limits to international flights, saying the new rule will cause more flights to be cancelled.  

New provisions also include increased compensation for passengers who are bumped from their flight because the airline oversold the flight and require airlines to notify passengers of delays that exceed 30 minutes.

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