By Tom Costello and
Phil Helsel
-
The Economist
After a summer with thousands of delayed and canceled flights, the Department of Transportation is pressuring airlines to improve their attention to travelers, indicating that it will prepare a plan to change air regulations in case they do not.
In addition, the federal government plans to publish a website in September so that travelers can easily consult the policies in case of cancellation and delays of all airlines.
[Offering $50,000 to Catch Los Angeles 7-Eleven Looters]
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called flight disruptions unacceptable: "The message to airlines is that they should make it easier to understand passenger rights," he said in an interview Friday with NBC News.
John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on June 28, 2022. Julia Nikhinson / AP
In the first six months of the year, 24% of flights in the US have been delayed and 3% have been canceled, according to the Department of Transportation, which ensures that since 2020 it has received “an avalanche of complaints about services of air travel”.
Airlines blame the pilot shortage.
American Airlines said in July that it could take three years to return to full capacity.
[Several dead when two planes collide in mid-air in California]
The Department of Transport announced in early August a new rule to require airlines to refund money to travelers when there are delays of three hours on domestic flights and six on international flights, and if they change the destination airport.
The airline industry said in a statement that it complies with federal rules on cash refunds and "strives to provide the highest level of service and is committed to working with travelers to address their individual issues."
Experts suggest always having a backup plan before you leave, and choosing daytime flights in case there are any setbacks.