Department of Transportation announces new rules to protect passengers stranded by airline disruptions

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – The U.S. Department of Transportation launched a rulemaking to protect passengers stranded by airlines canceling or significantly changing their flights.

The Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeks public comment on requiring airlines to pay passengers cash compensation, rebook them for free on the next available flight, and cover meals, overnight lodging, and related transportation expenses when disruption is airline-caused, such as a mechanical issue or an IT airline system breakdown.

“Americans know the importance of a robust airline industry, which is why this country—and U.S. taxpayers — kept U.S. airlines afloat when the COVID pandemic threatened their very existence,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Now that we are on the other side of the pandemic and air travel is breaking records, we must continue to advance passenger protections. This action we’re announcing is another step forward into a better era for commercial air travel—where the flying public is better protected and passengers aren’t expected to bear the cost of disruptions caused by airlines.”

According to the DOT, under the new guidelines, airlines would have to pay customers on a tiered basis for delays of at least three hours domestically, $375 to $525 for delays of at least six hours, and $750 to $775 for delays of at least nine hours.

Other proposals include mandating that airlines reimburse stranded passengers for meals, overnight accommodations, and associated transit costs, as well as rebooking them on the next available trip at no extra cost.

The public can comment for 60 days, starting today. Comments can be filed on www.regulations.gov, docket number DOT-OST-2024-0062.

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