The DOT expects to issue a final rule designed to bolster consumer protections against ramp delays of more than three hours and expand other passenger rights initiatives this month, a department spokesman told AIN. The new rule would add several new dimensions to the so-called tarmac delay rule, enacted last April 29, including expanding its scope to foreign airlines and requiring so-called contingency plans for small and non-hub airports. The rule would also require all airlines operating aircraft holding 30 or more passenger seats on scheduled and charter flights to or from the U.S. to report tarmac delay data to the DOT. Under the current rule, the department collects such data only for scheduled domestic flights of the 18 largest U.S. airlines.
Apart from foreign carriers, U.S. regional airlines stand to feel the most profound effects of the changes due to the new requirement for contingency plans at small and non-hub airports. Other changes include a provision to increase compensation for passengers involuntarily bumped from flights, allow passengers to make and cancel reservations within 24 hours without penalty, require full and prominently displayed disclosure of baggage fees as well as refunds and expense reimbursement when bags don’t arrive on time, require “fair price” advertising, prohibit price increases after the purchase of a ticket and mandate timely notice of flight status changes.
