Major airlines in the United States filed a lawsuit against the Department of Transportation (USDOT) to block a new rule that requires disclosure with air ticket service fees.
Some weeks ago, USDOT passed new regulation requiring airlines to disclose flight fares, as well as the cost of services, baggage and charges for modifying or canceling a ticket. This is intended to help consumers avoid unnecessary or unexpected fees.
However, Airlines have asked a court to block this measure, saying the information could confuse customers. and that it is an “attempt to regulate private commercial operations in a prosperous market, which is beyond its authority,” says the document presented before the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, in Louisiana.
The lawsuit was filed by the Airlines for America group, along with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines, last Friday. In the document, the companies describe the measure as “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion and contrary to law.”. For its part, Southwest Airlines showed its support for the rule and did not join the lawsuit.
Thanks to the new USDOT rule, passengers will be able to know the total cost of their flight, without hidden fees.
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What information would airlines have to make public with this new rule?
Last month, when USDOT approved the new rule, it stated that it was because Consumers are paying an extra US$543 million annually for rates and service concepts that take them by surprisesuch as having to pay a higher fee at the airport to check luggage.
According to the Department of Transportation, rates and service costs must be displayed clearly and evidently from when the flight information is displayed, without the need to open hyperlinks. The measure allows consumers to know the true cost of their plane ticket and realize if a flight advertised as a “deal” is really cheaper or involves extra costs.
The measure also implies that airlines include an advertisement informing that it is not necessary to pay extra for the seat and that it is guaranteed, so they must include the legend: “Your fare includes a seat. You are not required to purchase a seat assignment to travel.”
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