Airlines Back Industry Deregulation Effort

Apr 11,2018

The Trump administration is currently considering rolling back several airline regulations. This move follows a measure the Department of Transportation took last year, temporarily freezing all pending airline-industry regulations. The Department then asked for feedback from airlines and the public on existing industry regulations that could be rolled back.

In response, many airlines and industry trade groups have come up with dozens of regulations they believe should be changed or repealed. Airlines for America, an industry trade group and lobbying organization, has called the Department to modify or scrap more than 30 existing regulations.

Which Regulations are at Risk of Repeal?

One major regulation being targeted is the “tarmac delay rule.” It was adopted in 2009 following a series of incidents that kept passengers trapped in planes for hours. The rule prohibits airlines operating domestic flights from keeping an airplane on the tarmac for more than three hours without deplaning passengers. Additionally, the regulation requiring airlines to advertise fares that include taxes and fees is on the chopping block. Airlines for America is also targeting the mandate requiring airlines to inform passengers about how to file a service complaint with the Transportation department.

Airlines See Regulations as Burdensome

Airlines boasted a combined $17.6 billion in profit last year, which is a vast improvement from the previous nine years. Yet, several airlines are claiming the regulations adopted during the Obama administration are costly and burdensome on the industry. Among those being vocal about the regulations are United, Delta and American Airlines.

Consumer groups are concerned that this move toward deregulation is prioritizing airline profits over passenger rights. Fortunately, the Department of Transportation says it will hold public hearings on the industry’s request, should it determine to alter or eliminate an existing regulation. The process will likely take several months.

“The deregulation of airlines is another blow in a long string of attacks on consumer rights,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

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