The Trump Administration has officially scrapped a Biden-era proposal that would have forced airlines to pay passengers cash compensation for flight delays and cancellations.
A White House document posted Thursday confirmed the Department of Transportation will withdraw the rule first pushed by Joe Biden in May 2023.
At the time, Biden promised air travelers that new regulations would require airlines to cover cash payouts, along with meals and hotel rooms, when disruptions were the airline’s fault.
His administration floated payments ranging from $200 to $300 for domestic delays of at least three hours, and up to $775 for longer disruptions.
But Trump’s Department of Transportation said the rule had been withdrawn “consistent with department and administration priorities.”
Airlines immediately welcomed the reversal.
Airlines for America, a trade group representing American, Delta, and United, praised the decision and claimed Biden’s plan would have spiked ticket costs, per the Daily Mail.
“We are encouraged by this Department of Transportation reviewing unnecessary and burdensome regulations that exceed its authority and don’t solve issues important to our customers,” the group said.
Under current law, airlines must refund customers when a flight is canceled, but there is no requirement to compensate passengers for delays.
Former