The Fair Charges Act prohibits airlines from charging unreasonable prices for basic services such as rebooking, carry-on baggage, etc.
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WASHINGTON (January 31, 2023) – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Massachusetts), Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), Congressmen Steve Cohen (TN-09), Jesús “Chui” Garcia (IL-04), and Ro Khanna (CA-17) today Laws prohibiting airlines from charging FAIR fees, A bicameral law that prohibits airlines from charging unreasonable fees for baggage, seats, cancellations, and changes that are disproportionate to the cost of the services actually provided. The bill also directs the Department of Transportation to review other fees charged by airlines and allow children to fly with their families at no extra charge. In 2019, US domestic airlines collected $5.8 billion in baggage and $2.8 billion in ticket booking fees alone.
“I don’t see airlines straining passenger budgets with ridiculous fees, like charging travelers extra for carry-on bags or making parents pay to sit with their kids. It’s no secret, at the same time it’s stranded passengers. Senator Markey said. “As hidden charges become so high, consumers are rightfully outraged by airlines’ deceptive pricing practices and poor performance. FAIR Fee Law Eliminate airline corporate price gouging and protect passengers from unfair fares. We thank our colleagues for their partnership in holding businesses accountable to their customers and look forward to advancing critical consumer protections with this year’s Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization. ”
“The law ensures that users of flyers are naturally protected from consumers.” Senator Blumenthal said. “The Southwest Airlines debacle is the latest in why stronger passenger protection is urgently needed as air travel becomes more stressful, unpredictable and uncomfortable for passengers. Just an example, this law will establish clear and enforceable rules for airlines to follow, putting the consumer first and bringing sanity back to the skies.”
“Air travelers tell me all the time that unreasonable rescheduling fees and baggage fees don’t seem to match the actual costs of the airlines that offer these services. It is well past the time to make an objective assessment of these fees in the hope that they are likely to be either justified as plausible or likely to be reduced or eliminated. , it deserves no more.” Cohen said.
“Airlines charge exorbitant prices for basic services. It’s ridiculous.” Senator Wyden said. “That’s why we’re proud to collectively support a law that prohibits airlines from overcharging, which will save the wallets of millions of families in Oregon and across the country while they travel.” I will always fight hard to hold airlines accountable and end consumer price hikes.”
“Airlines charge consumers high prices for almost everything.” White House Senator said. “Fair fare laws stop airline extortion, allow passengers to travel with peace of mind, and put more in their pockets.”
Senators Markey and Blumenthal also today Air Passenger Bill of Rights, a comprehensive law to extend the protection of air travelers. Among many important consumer protections, Air Passenger Bill of Rights Ensure that airlines provide fair compensation, refunds, and recourse to passengers in the event of airline-caused flight delays or cancellations, and prevent airlines from canceling boarding as a result of excessive flights. Requires the denied passenger to pay at least $1,350 and obliges the airline immediately.Reimbursement of baggage fees for damaged or lost baggage.
Earlier this month, Senators Markey and Blumenthal led 13 colleagues in a letter to Southwest Airlines seeking answers about the thousands of flights that were canceled in the last week of December. Amid the cancellation chaos, the two senators said they would take action against cancellations, in addition to refunds and refunds for hotel, meals, and alternative transportation tickets that Southwest had already agreed to provide affected customers. urged Southwest to provide financial compensation to passengers. We have submitted a comment requesting that the Department of Transportation strengthen its proposed rules regarding ticket refunds.
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), Sheldon Whitehouse (DR.I.) and Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) is the original co-host. FAIR Fee Law in the Senate. Rep. Benny Thompson (MS-02) and Rep. Jan Schakowski (IL-09) are House co-hosts.
of FAIR Fee Law Endorsed by the American Economic Liberties Project, National Consumers League, Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Action, Travelers United, and Business Travel Coalition.
“Despite the airline’s dismal performance over the past year, they continue to harass passengers with increasingly high junk fares.” William J. McGee, Senior Fellow, Aviation and Travel, American Economic Liberties Project, said: “I applaud Senators Markey and Blumenthal, and Rep. Cohen and Rep. Garcia for continuing to fight the unreasonable and often opaque fares that seemingly drive up the price of air travel. Many fees should have been abolished long ago, such as forcing families with children to pay extra to sit together.”
“Airlines should not let nickel and dim passengers die.” Sally Greenberg, Executive Director of the National Consumers League said: “Beyond the frustration this creates for consumers, the billions of dollars that airlines collect in surcharges stifle competition and allow the industry to take advantage of huge tax loopholes. , is exactly what we need to protect our passengers, promote competition and ensure that airlines pay their fair share to sustain our air travel infrastructure.”
“The time has come for ancillary fees to be proportional to the true cost of providing services. It is unfortunate that in many cases the ancillary services bill exceeds the cost of those services.” Charles Leocha, President of Travelers United, said: “Changing or canceling a flight or reserving a seat can be as easy as pressing a key. “These variable costs are nowhere to be found in our current fee structure. This bill ensures that these fees are fair.”
“Airlines that charge travelers of any kind must adhere to standards that require charges to be in a ‘reasonable and proportionate’ relationship to costs.” Ruth Susswain, Director of Consumer Protection at Consumer Actions, said: “Otherwise we are talking about unfair and deceptive practices.”
“There are at least 10 prominent examples of unfair and deceptive airline practices that drive the need to outlaw fees that have no correlation to the costs incurred by airlines.” Business Travel Coalition President Kevin Mitchell said: “As an example, an airline may charge $200 to process a ticket change, even though the airline’s ticket change costs range from $25 to $35.”
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