Trump suspends baggage fees disclosure

BTN News
Sunday, 05 March 2017

The US government has suspended a proposal for all baggage fees to be listed on airline booking sites, saying it “would have allowed the government to dictate how airlines sell and distribute products and services.”

The Department of Transportation (DoT) says the delay will allow president Trump’s officials "to review and consider this action.”

A major airline industry trade group said that delaying the fee disclosure rule-making process showed new Transportation secretary Elaine Chao was making “common sense” decisions after decades of excessive regulation.

“We applaud Secretary Chao and look forward to an era of smarter regulation that protects consumers from unfair practices, but does not step in when action is not warranted,” said Nicholas Calio, the ceo of industry group Airlines For America.

A booking sites industry group however said it was “disappointed” that the request for information and the fee disclosure rule had been halted.

“Airlines are inhibiting transparency at the expense of consumers,” said Steve Shur, the president of the Travel Technology Association, which represents sites including Expedia, Priceline, and TripAdvisor. 

Separately, the DoT also is delaying the implementation of a regulation requiring airlines to disclose when they mishandle wheelchairs and motorised scooters for the disabled. That rule now won’t take effect until January 1, 2019, a one-year delay.

Trump suspends baggage fees disclosure

BTN News
Sunday, 05 March 2017

The US government has suspended a proposal for all baggage fees to be listed on airline booking sites, saying it “would have allowed the government to dictate how airlines sell and distribute products and services.”

The Department of Transportation (DoT) says the delay will allow president Trump’s officials "to review and consider this action.”

A major airline industry trade group said that delaying the fee disclosure rule-making process showed new Transportation secretary Elaine Chao was making “common sense” decisions after decades of excessive regulation.

“We applaud Secretary Chao and look forward to an era of smarter regulation that protects consumers from unfair practices, but does not step in when action is not warranted,” said Nicholas Calio, the ceo of industry group Airlines For America.

A booking sites industry group however said it was “disappointed” that the request for information and the fee disclosure rule had been halted.

“Airlines are inhibiting transparency at the expense of consumers,” said Steve Shur, the president of the Travel Technology Association, which represents sites including Expedia, Priceline, and TripAdvisor. 

Separately, the DoT also is delaying the implementation of a regulation requiring airlines to disclose when they mishandle wheelchairs and motorised scooters for the disabled. That rule now won’t take effect until January 1, 2019, a one-year delay.