04/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/16/2024 11:11
New partnership with 18 state attorneys general creates fast-track system to prioritize misconduct cases referred to DOT by state attorneys general
Secretary Buttigieg made the announcement at the Denver International Airport alongside Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser
DENVER - Today, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced the launch of the bipartisan Airline Passenger Protection Partnership with 18 state attorneys general to investigate airlines and ticket agents and hold them accountable when they violate aviation consumer protection laws. The partnership significantly expands the Department's oversight capacity by establishing a new fast-track system prioritizing misconduct cases from state attorneys general who uncover unfair or deceptive airline practices. Through the partnership, DOT will provide state attorneys general with access to the federal complaint database and help ensure that airlines cooperate with state investigations.
"We take our mission to protect consumers seriously, and today's launch of the Airline Passenger Protection Partnership is an important milestone in that effort," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "By partnering with a bipartisan group of state attorneys general, the U.S. Department of Transportation has expanded our ability to hold airlines and ticket agents accountable and protect passengers from unfair or deceptive practices."
"Consumers deserve to be treated fairly, know what they're getting, and get everything they pay for when they fly," said Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser. "This agreement and partnership with the DOT will allow my office to directly serve Colorado consumers when they file complaints about unfair or deceptive airline business practices and creates a process to ensure DOT prioritizes complaints we refer. I want to thank Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his staff for listening to our requests for more coordination between the states and the federal government on this issue. By working together, we will be improving travel for passengers and holding accountable airlines or ticket agents who harm consumers."
The partnership - memorialized in signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) - will ensure that state attorneys general and the DOT's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) are closely collaborating on complaints involving unfair or deceptive practices by airlines. Federal law places responsibility for addressing airline consumer protection matters with DOT. While state attorneys general receive consumer complaints regarding airline practices, airlines are not legally required to respond to state AG inquiries. The MOU incentivizes airlines to be responsive to state attorneys general and enables the use of federal and state resources and expertise to protect the rights of the flying public.
Through this partnership, DOT and state attorneys general will work together to:
The new partnership will greatly improve DOT's capacity to protect airline passengers. While DOT's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection has increased the number of attorneys and law clerks it has on staff and delivered historic wins for airline passengers recently, the office's total headcount is only slightly over 40 people. By closely cooperating with state attorneys general across the country, the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection will be able to better fulfill its expansive mandate given its limited resources.
Secretary Buttigieg made the announcement at the Denver International Airport alongside Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who led the effort to rally state attorneys general to join the initiative. Secretary Buttigieg signed MOUs with the Attorneys General of California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New York, New Hampshire, North Carolina, the Northern Mariana Islands, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, the United States Virgin Islands, and Wisconsin. In addition to the 18 attorneys general who have signed MOUs with the Department, another 7 attorneys general - Delaware, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, and Washington - have expressed an interest in doing so. DOT encourages other state attorneys general to sign onto the initiative with the Department.
To view an example of one of the signed MOUs, click here.
DOT's Historic Record of Consumer Protection Under the Biden-Harris Administration.
Under Secretary Buttigieg and the Biden-Harris Administration, DOT has advanced the largest expansion of airline passenger rights, issued the biggest fines against airlines for failing consumers, and returned more money to passengers in refunds and reimbursements than ever before in the history of the DOT.
DOT has worked to significantly expand consumer rights for airline passengers and is currently pursuing rulemakings that would:
DOT also recently issued a rulemaking to expand the rights for passengers who use wheelchairs and ensure that they can travel safely and with dignity. The comment period on this rulemaking closes on May 13, 2024.
Under Secretary Buttigieg, DOT is also undertaking its first ever industry-wide review of airline privacy practices and its first review of airline loyalty programs.
Travelers can learn more about their protections when they fly at FlightRights.gov. Consumers may file an airline complaint with the Department here.
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