US proposing to help airlines avoid fines over consumer protection violations

The U.S. Transportation Department is proposing to revise its guidance to deemphasize imposing civil fines on airlines violating consumer protection rules and to drop Biden-era policies.

The department's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection said its enforcement focus "will be on ensuring compliance with civil rights and consumer protection regulations rather than finding and penalizing entities for violations" and added if it finds violations, the office "will attempt to address the problem by issuing a warning letter to help the regulated entity achieve compliance and resolve the issues before pursuing enforcement actions."

USDOT is also proposing to drop guidance issued in 2023 under then President Joe Biden that said the department would seek higher penalties for airlines that violate consumer protection rules, saying they were necessary to deter future violations.