US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg warned the top ten US airlines on Tuesday that they must comply with the new passenger refund regulations passed by Congress in May this year, rejecting the industry's request for more time.
In a letter to the airline CEOs, Buttigieg stated that they must follow the new refund rules and took a firm stance against the industry.
"The law does not provide for extensions or delays. Therefore, we will take all appropriate measures and use our investigative and enforcement powers to responsibly implement these regulations," Buttigieg said.
The industry trade organization Airlines for America, representing companies such as Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Southwest Airlines, had requested more time for several regulations on July 3rd.
The organization stated, "New technological solutions needed to comply with these requirements require thorough development, testing, and refinement before they can be successfully deployed."
The organization did not immediately comment on Buttigieg's letter.
The Department of Transportation's announcement was made the day after the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked new airline fee disclosure rules from taking effect in October.
A4A cautioned that automatic refunds could "negatively impact many consumers" if they do not respond to alternative transportation proposals, resulting in flights departing without them and leaving them without new flights.
