The Biden administration has initiated a collaboration with officials from 15 states to enforce consumer-protection laws for airline travelers, a responsibility typically reserved for the federal government. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that states such as California, New York, and Illinois will assist in ensuring that government enforcement efforts align with the current surge in air travel.
As per an agreement unveiled by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, state attorney general offices will be empowered to investigate complaints regarding airline service. If a state believes an airline has violated the law or is uncooperative with investigators, they can refer the case to the Transportation Department for further action. In exchange, the DOT will grant states access to its consumer-complaint system and provide training on federal consumer laws pertaining to airlines.
Buttigieg emphasized that this partnership will significantly enhance the DOT's ability to hold airlines accountable and safeguard passengers' rights. He highlighted instances where travelers faced flight cancellations and endured lengthy waits for alternative flights or incurred additional costs to fly home with another airline, deeming such scenarios as violations of passenger rights.
Aside from California, New York, and Illinois, other states that signed the memorandum of understanding with the Transportation Department include Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin. Additionally, the District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands also joined the agreement.
While Buttigieg portrayed the agreement as bipartisan, only two of the signing state officials are Republicans. He expressed the department's intent to engage more states in this initiative. Under U.S. law, federal authorities exclusively regulate consumer-protection laws related to airlines, with carriers not mandated to respond to state investigations.
Consumer advocates have advocated for expanding enforcement authority to states, but proposals to include this provision in pending legislation covering the Federal Aviation Administration were not adopted by both the full House and a key Senate committee. Colorado Attorney General Philip Weiser emphasized the surge in airline-related complaints during the pandemic and the frustration stemming from the state's lack of investigative authority.
Weiser urged Congress to grant states the power to enforce airline consumer-protection laws, noting that Colorado took proactive steps without waiting for federal action.
