US plans to seek 'higher penalties' for airlines violating consumer protections

The US USDOT said it planned to seek higher penalties for airlines and others that broke consumer protection rules, saying they were necessary to deter future violations. USDOT said in a notice posted on its website it intended to hold airlines, ticket agents and others "accountable and deter future misconduct by seeking higher penalties that would not be viewed as simply a cost of doing business." The notice comes after Transportation Department Secretary Pete Buttigieg vowed in recent days to take a hard line on Southwest if it failed to compensate travelers after cancelling nearly 16,000 flights in the week ending Dec. 29. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday the Transportation Department "will seek fines from Southwest if it doesn't cover" required costs.<br/>