The Department of Transportation has recently announced agreements with 18 U.S. states and territories to enhance the monitoring of airlines’ compliance with consumer protection laws. This collaboration aims to empower state attorneys general by providing them with more authority to investigate potential violations of these laws. In the past, state attorneys general had limited involvement in overseeing airline consumer practices due to federal regulations granting sole jurisdiction to the DOT.
Furthermore, these agreements extend to travel agencies acting as ticket agents for airlines, broadening the scope of oversight within the industry. By including travel agencies in the monitoring process, the initiative seeks to ensure that consumers receive transparent information and fair treatment throughout their travel experiences.
State attorneys general from various regions, including California, Michigan, New York, and North Carolina, among others, have already signed memoranda in conjunction with DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Additionally, several other states, such as Delaware, Massachusetts, and Washington, have expressed their interest in joining this collaborative effort.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser emphasized the importance of protecting consumer rights in the aviation sector, stating that consumers deserve transparency, fairness, and accountability from airlines. Through this partnership with the DOT, state attorneys general aim to address complaints related to deceptive airline practices promptly and ensure that consumers’ grievances are prioritized.
By involving state investigators in the review process, the DOT aims to alleviate the workload of its Office of Aviation Consumer Protection, which currently consists of a small team of around 40 individuals. State attorneys general will be responsible for investigating consumer complaints and determining whether airlines are complying with federal regulations. Cases flagged by states will be expedited by the DOT for further investigation and enforcement.
Despite these collaborative efforts, some consumer advocates have raised concerns about the slow enforcement of aviation consumer protection laws. By streamlining the complaint handling process and involving state authorities in monitoring compliance, the DOT aims to improve accountability within the industry and address criticisms related to delays in addressing consumer grievances.