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B-336310 May 15, 2024 1 (2024-05-15)

handle is hein.gao/gaoqgx0001 and id is 1 raw text is: GAO U.S. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE 441 G St. N.W. Washington, DC 20548 B-336310 May 15, 2024 The Honorable Maria Cantwell Chair The Honorable Ted Cruz Ranking Member Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation United States Senate The Honorable Sam Graves Chairman The Honorable Rick Larsen Ranking Member Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure House of Representatives Subject: Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary: Refunds and Other Consumer Protections Pursuant to section 801 (a)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code, this is our report on a major rule promulgated by the Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary (DOT) entitled Refunds and Other Consumer Protections (RIN: 2105-AF04). We received the rule on April 30, 2024. It was published in the Federal Register as a final rule on April 26, 2024. 89 Fed. Reg. 32760. Except for the pending information collection, the stated effective date of the rule is June 25, 2024. According to DOT, this final rule requires prompt, automatic refunds to consumers when an air carrier cancels or makes a significant change to a scheduled flight and the consumer is not offered or rejects alternative transportation and travel credits, vouchers, or other compensation. Before making such an offer to a consumer, DOT stated that the rule requires air carriers and ticket agents to inform consumers of their right to a refund, if that is the case. DOT noted that it is defining for the first time the terms cancellation and significant change to provide clarity and consistency to consumers with respect to their right to a refund. According to DOT, the rule also implements the requirements under the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016, Pub. L. No. 114-190, 130 Stat. 640 (July 15, 2016), 49 U.S.C. § 41704 note, and the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-254, 132 Stat. 3337 (Oct. 5, 2018), 49 U.S.C. § 42301 note prec., to mandate that airlines refund consumers for fees for ancillary services that passengers paid for but did not receive and for checked baggage fees if the bag is significantly delayed. DOT also explained that the rule establishes requirements for airlines to provide vouchers or travel credits to passengers whose travel plans are disrupted by circumstances beyond their control related to serious communicable disease. The Congressional Review Act (CRA) requires a 60-day delay in the effective date of a major rule from the date of publication in the Federal Register or receipt of the rule by Congress,

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