Democrat Senators introduced a bill requiring compensation for airline delays
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy joins ‘Morning Maria’ to discuss the FAA government’s recovery after the longest government shutdown in US history and warns that air travel chaos poses major risks to America.
A trio of Democrat Senators introduced Thursday would require airlines to provide passengers with monetary compensation and free reimbursement for flight delays.
We are one. Mark Kelly, D-ARIZ., Richard Blubthemelhal, D-CONT.
Under the Bill, it is called the Flight Delay Revision Act, airlines will need to pay passengers $300 if their flight is delayed and $600 if their flight is delayed for at least six hours.
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Mark Kelly, Richard Bluncenhal and Ed Markey proposed the measure. (Getty Images / Getty Images)
It would also require the Department of Transportation to require airlines to compensate passengers for meals, hotels and travel arising from flight disruptions, regardless of the cause.
“Flying is already stressful and expensive. Airlines must be held accountable when they cost Americans money and travelers are left ripped off,” Kelly said in a press release. “We’re working to make sure passengers are protected so cancellations and delays don’t cost them money.”
This comes after the Ministry of Tourism withdrew a bid management plan to provide financial compensation to passengers who faced delays. That proposal would have required airlines to pay customers between $200 and $300 for delays of at least three hours, between $375 and $725 for delays of more than six hours.
United Airlines Airbuses are seen parked at Dulles Washington International Airport, Dulles, Virginia. (Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Airlines of America, the largest trade group representing major airlines, is backing the Trump Administration’s pushback.
“We are encouraged by this travel department to review unnecessary and burdensome regulations that exceed their mandate and do not solve important issues for our customers,” the group said at the time.
But Senators argued that compensation would financially protect passengers who experience flight delays or cancellations beyond their control.
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Passengers look at flight information boards at tables at the West Gates Expansion Airport at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)
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“This key law holds airlines accountable and properly compensates passengers when their flight is delayed or canceled – protecting Americans from losing their hard-earned paychecks and exposing them to the burden of days of chaotic travel,” Blucthemental said.
“The Trump Administration’s reckless rollback of airline passenger protections is only working for the airline industry, blowing their pocketbooks and leaving Americans stranded without help,” he continued. “With the Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation Act, we are putting consumer protection at the forefront of cost containment.”
