ARTA Applauds New DOT Proposals

June 3, 2010 – The Association of Retail Travel Agents/ARTA today voiced approval for Secretary Ray LaHood and the U.S. Department of Transportation for proposing wide spread rule changes to protect air passenger rights and require more accountability of carriers. 

The DOT has proposed a broad range of consumer protections that include:

• Increased compensation for passengers involuntarily bumped from flights
• Full disclosure of fees, including baggage charges
• Refunding of fees if baggage is late or lost
• Allowing consumers to make and cancel a reservation within 24 hours without penalty
• Fair price advertising
• Timely notice of flight status changes
• Prohibition of price increase after tickets are purchased.

The announcement today shows aggressiveness in protecting the traveling public said ARTA Chairman Barry Richcreek. “Fair treatment is a pretty basic concept and it’s a shame it has to be mandated.”

The rules would take effect 180 days after a 60-day public comment period. For more information on the Proposed Rule go to http://www.regulation.gov and enter docket number, DOT-OST-2010-0140