US: Critics say airlines’ proposed rule on unfair practices would make regulation harder

Consumer advocates are complaining that a regulation proposed by the US DoT — at the airline industry’s urging — would make it harder to penalise airlines for bad behavior and to adopt new rules that protect travellers. The rule would require the DoT to apply a new standard when considering civil penalties or new regulations on air carriers: whether the actions in question meet a specific definition of “unfair and deceptive practices.” The new policy would also allow airlines to request hearings before new regulations are imposed. In documents describing the proposed rule, the DoT acknowledged that it “could translate into the department performing fewer enforcement and rule-making actions” against airlines and could “lengthen the time needed to complete the actions.” <br/>