The US will propose rules requiring Reuters to return delayed luggage to airlines

By David Shepardson and Diane Bartzen

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The road administration will soon propose new rules to require passenger companies to reimburse bag fees for services that are significantly delayed and services that do not work within Wi-Fi, the White House said on Friday.

Brian Deese, director of the White House National Economic Council, reaffirmed the planned rules at a conference chaired by President Joe Biden, saying “part of a broader effort is for the president to soon release more economically competitive service in cheaper services.” . “

Under U.S. Department of Transportation rules, passengers have the right to a refund if the bags are lost, but not when they are delayed. Under the proposed rule for release in the coming days, a “significantly delayed checked suitcase” is not delivered to the passenger within 12 hours for domestic routes and within 25 hours for international routes.

The team representing Airlines for America, the main airline, did not immediately comment.

Reuters reported on the actions planned by the Department of Transportation on Friday.

The U.S. airline’s passenger vaccine has risen to more than 2 million passengers a day, which is about 75% of pre-pandemic levels.

The administration’s proposal would require airlines to immediately reimburse fares, such as for pre-seating, Wi-Fi and other flight services, if the passenger does not receive or operate the service, Dees said.

According to the executive order on the competition, President Joe Biden heads the Department of Transportation “to include a set of rules to protect airline passengers and promote fair competition in the airline industry,” the source told Reuters.

U.S. airlines collected approximately $ 5.8 billion in baggage rates and $ 2.8 billion in change and cancellation rates in 2019, $ 464 million in baggage fees and $ 915 million in 2007 changes and cancellations.

The Department of Transportation plans to make an extraordinary proposal in the coming months to announce baggage fees, changes and cancellation fees in advance, Deese confirmed.

The Biden administration issued a call on Friday to discuss the issue with large companies, two other sources said.

Reuters reported on the planned executive order earlier this week.

In 2018, Congress suspended plans to promise “reasonable and proportionate” baggage and change fees due to harsh lobbying by U.S. airlines.