US will let air carriers suspend more flights, warns on refunds

The US DoT Tuesday said it will allow carriers to halt flights to up to 5% of destinations as a condition of receiving government assistance amid the coronavirus pandemic. Separately, the department again urged airlines to comply with legal obligations to refund tickets if they cancel flights. The department typically gets about 1,500 complaints and inquiries a month and is now getting them at a rate of 20,000 per month. US travel demand has fallen by about 94%, while carriers are still flying around 30% of flights. Airlines for America said airlines are burning at least $10bi a month and averaging just 17 passengers per domestic flight. "The department is asking all airlines to revisit their customer service policies and ensure they are as flexible and considerate as possible to the needs of passengers who face financial hardship during this time," Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said, adding the department is working to "ensure that airlines’ policies and practices conform to DOT’s refund rules." The department in early April issued a notice to airlines reminding them of their obligations. The department said Tuesday that airlines " can offer consumers alternatives to a refund, such as credits or vouchers, so long as the option of a refund is also offered and clearly disclosed if the passenger is entitled to a refund."<br/>