The Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee needs to give Americans the protections they deserve

Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao:

Americans who cancel travel plans due to COVID-19 are still having trouble getting refunds for their flights -- in fact, a record 50,000 consumers have filed complaints with the DOT about being refused airline refunds. That's exactly the kind of issue that your agency's Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee should be addressing, especially as we approach the holiday season and people make hard decisions about whether to cancel flights in the midst of new surges in coronavirus cases.

Yet the DOT's committee specifically intended to protect airline customers is ignoring this and other pressing concerns such as whether all airlines are following consistent safety protocols to protect customers who do choose to fly.

We urge you to set uniform enforceable requirements that consumers can rely on regarding airlines' refund policies and safety precautions.