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DOT/OST RIN: 2105-AF04 Publication ID: Fall 2022 
Title: +A Refunding Airline Tickets and Fees for Delayed Checked Bags and Ancillary Services That are not Provided 
Abstract:

The Department of Transportation has consistently interpreted 49 U.S.C. 41712, which prohibits U.S. air carriers, foreign air carriers, and ticket agents from engaging in unfair practices in the sale of air transportation, to require carriers and ticket agents to provide requested refunds to passengers when a carrier cancels or significantly changes a flight to, from, or within the United States.  This rulemaking would clarify that, under the Department's rule requiring airlines to provide prompt refunds when ticket refunds are due and its rule requiring ticket agents to make refunds promptly when service cannot be performed as contracted, carriers and ticket agents must provide prompt ticket refunds to passengers when a carrier cancels or makes a significant change to a flight. This rulemaking would define cancellation and significant change, including addressing whether new itineraries involving delays of a certain length or additional stops constitute a significant change requiring a refund. This rulemaking would also address protections for consumers who are unable to travel due to government restrictions. In addition, the rulemaking under RIN 2105-AE53 has been merged into this rulemaking.  As such, this rulemaking would also require airlines to refund checked baggage fees when they fail to deliver the bags in a timely manner as provided by the FAA Extension, Safety and Security Act of 2016, and require airlines to promptly provide a refund to a passenger of any ancillary fees paid for services that the passenger did not receive as provided by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.

 
Agency: Department of Transportation(DOT)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 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  08/22/2022  87 FR 51550   
NPRM Comment Period End  12/00/2022 
Final Rule  11/00/2023 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes  Government Levels Affected: None 
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 
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