"I just wanted to visit my family. But¡¦ there's nothing I can do about it."
New this week, President Joe Biden proposing a 6federal rule change that would 7compensate passengers for delays and 8cancellationscaused by the airlines. It could 9take effect by the end of this year. But already in the European Union, passengers can receive up to $663 for 10significant delays.
¡°One study found that the 11European Union required airlines to compensate passengers for flight delays. The number of flight delays went down.¡±
Right now, 10 U.S. based carriers cover the cost of meals for passengers, and nine cover the cost of hotels if delays or cancellations are caused by the airlines, but they do so 12voluntarily and can stop at any time. Brian Sumers, founder and editor of the Airline Observer, says Biden's 13proposal could be stronger.
¡°He didn't necessarily say you'd get a 14cash payment as you do in the European Union. You could get a 15travel credit or even 16frequent flyer miles.¡±
Mary Chiavo, a 17former U.S. Department of Transportation 18Inspector General, says this signals a 19reversal of airline 20deregulation which 21ushered in an era of misery.
¡°Remember, the taxpayers of the United States own the airways. We own the runways. We own the airports. The airlines do not own those. We need to reregulate in a grand scale with a 22coherent and intelligent United States 23transportation policy.¡±
