Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced a new partnership with more than a dozen state attorneys general on Tuesday to investigate consumer complaints against airlines. This initiative aims to improve protections for air travelers and hold airlines accountable for any wrongdoing.
The partnership allows state attorney general’s offices to review complaints from travelers and then pass them on to the federal Transportation Department for potential enforcement action. This collaboration is a significant step in ensuring that airlines are held responsible for any violations of federal consumer protection rules.
Attorneys general from 15 states, including California, Colorado, New York, and Pennsylvania, have already signed agreements to be part of this partnership. Additionally, the attorneys general from the District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have also joined, bringing the total number of participants to 18.
While states are generally prohibited from enforcing their own consumer protection laws against airlines, this partnership allows them to investigate complaints and refer potential violations to the Transportation Department for review and possible enforcement action.
In response to this new initiative, Airlines for America, a trade group representing major air carriers, expressed their willingness to work with state attorneys general and the Transportation Department to improve the flying experience for travelers.
Overall, this partnership represents a significant step towards ensuring that airlines prioritize consumer protection and provide a better experience for all air travelers.
