Last updated: 9:30 AM ET, Thu May 16, 2024
President Joe Biden's administration isn't backing down after trade group Airlines for America (A4A) and a handful of major U.S. carriers filed a lawsuit against it over a recent ruling on fee transparency.
"We just issued a rule requiring airlines to inform you, before you buy a ticket, of fees they will charge you. Now, the airline lobby is suing us, saying that if you have the right to that information it will 'confuse' you. For once, I am speechless," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg wrote on social media platform X on Tuesday.
In a statement to The Hill, the Department of Transportation (DOT) said officials "will vigorously defend our rule protecting people from hidden junk fees and ensuring travelers can see the full price of a flight before they purchase a ticket."
"Many air travelers will be disappointed to learn that the airline lobby is suing to stop these common-sense protections," the department added.
While DOT has claimed "the new rule will save passengers over half a billion dollars a year in unnecessary or unexpected fees," the lawsuit argues that it "will greatly confuse consumers who will be inundated with information that will only serve to complicate the buying process."
The airlines pushing back against the new rule include Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, JetBlue, Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) has also expressed disappointment over the rule, calling it a "profound error" that could potentially "harm the small travel agencies who book air tickets."
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
