Congressman Cohen applauded the Biden Administration for taking steps to protect consumers from airline fees. Today’s executive order directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue new rules demanding airlines to quickly refund fees if baggage is delayed or if other services, such as wireless internet or in-flight entertainment, do not operate properly.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
“Too often, I hear from my constituents and others that airlines have charged exorbitant and unexpected fees for basic aviation services. I applaud President Biden for taking action to protect consumers from some flagrant abuses, such as when airlines refuse to refund fees after failing to even provide basic services such as delivering baggage or wireless internet. I will continue working to ensure the public is not nickel-and-dimed by the airline industry by continuing to push for legislation that enhances consumer protections, reins in exorbitant fees and ensures customers have a right to cash refunds for flights canceled during the pandemic.”
Congressman Cohen has consistently advocated to strengthen consumer protections and curtail airline’s abusive business practices. In November 2019, Congressman Cohen worked with Congressman Garcia and Senator Markey to introduce the Forbidding Airlines form Imposing Ridiculous (FAIR) Fees Act in November 2019. The bill would prohibit airlines from charging cancellation, change, baggage and other fees that are not reasonable and proportional to the cost of the services provided. Cohen also introduced legislation in May 2020 with Congresswoman Underwood and Senators Markey and Blumenthal requiring major airlines and third-party ticket sellers to offer full cash refunds for all cancelled tickets during the coronavirus pandemic. Recently, Congressmen Cohen and Garcia and Senators Markey and Blumenthal led a letter in June 2021 urging the DOT to return travelers’ money for canceled flights or at least ensure that credits issued during the pandemic do not expire. See more details in Congressman Cohen’s releases on the Fair Fees Act, Cash Refunds for Coronavirus Cancellations Act, and letter to DOT.
Original source can be found here.
