U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on Thursday that the Biden administration is prepared to “beat up” airlines when necessary to protect passengers’ rights.
Buttigieg’s comments came in an interview with Reuters, in which he discussed the recent wave of flight cancellations and delays. He said that the administration is “looking at every tool” at its disposal to ensure that airlines are meeting their obligations to passengers.
“We’re going to beat ’em up when we think that’s important to get passengers a better deal,” Buttigieg said. “We’re not going to be afraid to take enforcement action.”
Buttigieg Vows to Crack Down on Carriers for Mistreating Passengers
Buttigieg’s comments were met with praise from consumer advocates, who have long criticized airlines for mistreating passengers.
“It’s great to see the Transportation Department taking a tough stance on airlines,” said Paul Hudson, president of the Travelers’ Rights Advocacy Group. “Passengers have been put through the wringer by airlines for far too long.”
The recent wave of flight cancellations and delays has been blamed on a number of factors, including staffing shortages, bad weather, and air traffic control issues. However, consumer advocates say that airlines have also contributed to the problem by overbooking flights and failing to adequately compensate passengers for canceled or delayed flights.
In April, the Transportation Department issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would require airlines to provide passengers with more information about their rights in the event of flight cancellations or delays. The rulemaking is still in progress, but Buttigieg said that the administration is “committed to making sure that passengers are treated fairly.”
“We’re going to make sure that airlines are living up to their obligations, which we will enforce,” Buttigieg said.
Background:
The U.S. airline industry has been struggling in recent months, as it faces a number of challenges, including rising fuel costs, labor shortages, and competition from low-cost carriers.
The industry has also been hit by a wave of flight cancellations and delays, which have caused frustration and anger among passengers.
In April, the Transportation Department announced that it would be fining American Airlines $1 million for violating the law by failing to provide passengers with adequate compensation for canceled flights.
The department also said that it was investigating other airlines for potential violations of passenger rights.
Reaction:
Buttigieg’s comments on Thursday were met with mixed reactions from the airline industry.
Some airlines said that they welcomed the Transportation Department’s willingness to crack down on bad behavior. However, other airlines said that the administration was being too aggressive and that it was creating an atmosphere of uncertainty in the industry.
Only time will tell how the Transportation Department’s actions will affect the airline industry. However, it is clear that the administration is determined to protect passengers’ rights.
Conclusion:
The U.S. airline industry is facing a number of challenges, but the Transportation Department is determined to protect passengers’ rights. The department has said that it is “prepared to beat up” airlines when necessary, and it has already taken some enforcement action against carriers. It remains to be seen how the industry will respond to the administration’s actions, but it is clear that passengers will be watching closely.