In the wake of Hurricane Helene and Milton’s devastation, lawmakers are pushing for new measures to discourage airlines
from price-gouging travelers looking to evacuate or escape regions in danger. A new bill known as the “AirFAIR Act” was introduced by US House Representative Nydia Velázquez on Friday.
The congresswoman said price hikes during a natural disaster “could put lives at risk.” It comes after Vice President Kamala Harris said last week amid Hurricane Milton preparations that “anyone taking advantage of consumers will be held accountable.”
“Putting their lives in danger”
If signed into law, the AirFAIR Act would prohibit airlines from hiking ticket prices by more than 30% after a state, territory, or US possession declares a disaster. Additionally, the Department of Transportation (DOT)
would be able to authorize a further reduction of the maximum amount airlines would be allowed to increase ticket prices during catastrophic events.
“When ticket prices become too high, those who might otherwise evacuate during a disaster could be left stranded, putting their lives in danger,” Velázquez said. “This bill will require airlines to take sensible, responsible measures to keep prices in check.”
Price-gouging reports & complaints
The congresswoman explained that there were widespread reports of airlines dramatically increasing prices after Helene and in the lead-up to Milton. Some consumers recalled price increases ranging from as low as $200 to as much as $1,000 for a one-way ticket.
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Simple Flying previously reported that Delta Air Lines’ last roundtrip flight to Washington DC before Tampa International Airport (TPA) closed before Milton was priced around $800, while other flights to Atlanta were reportedly as much as $2,400
. However, airlines have denied price-gouging and claimed their prices on flights from Florida at the time were capped.
Photo: Raleigh–Durham International Airport
Velázquez explained on Friday that the safety of Americans should be a top priority over generating a profit.
“Floridians attempting to flee Hurricane Milton were faced with exorbitant prices for airline tickets on typically affordable routes. In the lead-up to a natural disaster, Americans’ safety should be the only priority, not making a profit. Price-gouging when residents are trying to flee the path of a hurricane is unconscionable and could put lives at risk.”
Holding those accountable
In a televised address last week, Vice President Harris said the Biden administration monitored the situation closely as much of eastern Florida evacuated.
“To any company or individual that might use this crisis to exploit people who are desperate for help through illegal fraud or price-gouging, whether it be at the gas pump, the airport, or the hotel counter, know that we are monitoring these behaviors and the situation on the ground very closely, and anyone taking advantage of consumers will be held accountable.”
Photo: SvetlanaSF | Shutterstock
According to QNS, Florida is investigating more than one hundred price-gouging complaints
during Milton. While a number of states have laws to prevent price gouging of essentials, airlines are not often subject to these laws.
“I have seen firsthand the devastating impact of price gouging during an emergency.” Vice President Harris said in a statement released by the White House last week. “As Attorney General of California during devastating wildfires that displaced thousands of residents, I took on those attempting to take advantage of the situation by raising hotel prices. As Senator, I worked to stop price gouging during the pandemic.”
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