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DOT/OST RIN: 2105-AE11 Publication ID: Spring 2016 
Title: Airline Pricing Transparency and Other Consumer Protection Issues 
Abstract:

This rulemaking would address a number of proposals to enhance protections for air travelers and to improve the air travel environment. This rulemaking would explore whether to codify in regulation a definition of the term "ticket agent," to require airlines and ticket agents to disclose at all points of sale the fees for certain basic ancillary services associated with the air transportation consumers are buying or considering buying. The rulemaking would also consider whether to enhance airline passenger protections such as: expanding the pool of "reporting" carriers; requiring enhanced reporting by mainline carriers for their domestic code-share partner operations; requiring large travel agents to adopt minimum customer service standards; codifying the statutory requirement that carriers and ticket agents disclose any code-share arrangements on their websites; and prohibiting unfair and deceptive practices such as undisclosed biasing and post-purchase price increases. The rulemaking would also consider whether to require ticket agents to disclose the carriers whose tickets they sell in order to avoid having consumers mistakenly believe they are searching all possible flight options for a particular city-pair market when in fact there may be other options available. Additionally, the rulemaking would correct drafting errors and make minor changes to the Department's second Enhancing Airline Passenger Protections rule to conform to guidance issued by the Department's Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings (Enforcement Office) regarding its interpretation of the rule.

 
Agency: Department of Transportation(DOT)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 14 CFR 244    14 CFR 250    14 CFR 253    14 CFR 259    14 CFR 399   
Legal Authority: 49 U.S.C. 41712    49 U.S.C. 40101    49 U.S.C. 41702   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  05/23/2014  79 FR 29970   
NPRM Comment Period Extended  08/06/2014  79 FR 45731   
NPRM Comment Period End  08/21/2014 
NPRM Comment Period Extended End  09/22/2014 
NPRM Comment Period Reopened  09/25/2014  79 FR 57489   
NPRM Comment Period Reopened End  09/29/2014 
Final Rule  10/00/2016 
Additional Information: Related Final Rule issued on April 25, 2011 (76 FR 23110, RIN 2105-AD92)
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes  Government Levels Affected: Undetermined 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Information URL: www.regulations.gov   Public Comment URL: www.regulations.gov  
RIN Data Printed in the FR: Yes 
Related RINs: Related to 2105-AD72, Related to 2105-AD92 
Agency Contact:
Blane A. Workie
Assistant General Counsel
Department of Transportation
Office of the Secretary
Room 4116/C-70, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590
Phone:202 366-9342
Fax:202 366-7153
Email: blane.workie@dot.gov