AAPR nudges feds on DOT consumer protection regulations

WASHINGTON, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Association for Airline Passenger Rights, (AAPR) today joined eight other national consumer rights groups calling on the Office of Management & Budget (“OMB”) and the Office of Information & Regulatory Affairs (“OIRA”) to complete its work on regulations previously promulgated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”) to ensure better airline passenger protections. The “Enhancing Consumer Protections III” regulations have been stalled at OMB and OIRA for 880 days, since April 4, 2011. AAPR endorsed the regulations when they were announced later that month.

The Consumer Travel Alliance letter spearheaded the effort, which was also endorsed by the Business Travel Coalition, AirlinePassengers.org, FlyersRights.org, Consumers Union, Consumer Federation of America, National Consumers League and U.S. PIRG.

“AAPR applauds the Charlie Leocha and the Consumer Travel Alliance for their leadership on this vitally important issue because it is one that impacts millions of air travelers annually,” summarized Brandon M. Macsata, Executive Director of the Association for Airline Passenger Rights. “These two offices within the Executive Office of the President of the United States have had ample time to review the DOT passenger protection regulations, and the time has come to put airline passengers first. Put very simply, airline passengers have been mired in the airlines’ confusing policies and lack of transparency for 880 days, and that is 880 days too many.”

AAPR believes that these consumer protections – as well as the protection extended under the final rule published on December 30, 2009, in which DOT required certain U.S. air carriers “to adopt contingency plans for lengthy tarmac delays; respond to consumer problems; post flight delay information on their websites; and adopt, follow, and audit customer service plans” – are long overdue. For over a decade the airline industry has increasingly ignored the complaints and concerns expressed by a growing chorus of airline passengers, especially on domestic flights. U.S. air carriers have placed a greater emphasis on their profits rather than the comfort, safety and satisfaction of their customers.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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