The White House on Monday proposed a major fix to the often maddening maze of airline fees. Fliers shouldn’t expect relief anytime soon, if ever.

The government wants airlines and online travel agencies to display, in detail, fees for bags, ticket changes and cancellations and certain seats when they first flash a ticket’s price. Today, ticket buyers are regularly warned of fees but at varying times, with specifics hard to find.

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William McGee is senior fellow for aviation at the American Economic Liberties Project, a nonprofit that advocates for strict antitrust enforcement. He praises the department for resurrecting the proposed rules. But he says he expects the drawn-out federal rule-making process means any improvements for travelers are a long way off, possibly years.

There is a 60-day public comment period—last time it was extended—before the rules take effect. Airlines and travel companies would then have six months to implement any changes.

Mr. McGee’s biggest concern, though, is what happens after any new rules are put in place. Mr. Buttigieg has repeatedly criticized airlines’ service shortfalls. Yet the department has fined few airlines and travel companies despite a jump in passenger complaints during the pandemic. (The DOT says there is pending enforcement action against 10 airlines for refund issues that date to 2020. It has provided no timetable or specifics.)

“If the department doesn’t have the appetite to enforce them, then it’s really an exercise in futility,” Mr. McGee says.