Washington, D.C. — In response to new requirements proposed by the U.S. Department of Transportation that would require airlines to compensate passengers and cover certain expenses for controllable delays and cancellations, the American Economic Liberties Project released the following statement.

“We’re pleased to see the Department of Transportation work to hold airlines accountable for ensuring flights depart and arrive on schedule and, when they can’t, that passengers are fairly compensated,” said William J. McGee, Senior Fellow for Aviation & Travel at the American Economic Liberties Project. “For too long, U.S. airlines — especially the largest ones — have gotten away with treating passengers like cattle, overbooking flights, hiding fees, and allowing outrageous delays and cancellations for which they refuse to provide adequate compensation and accommodations. This proposal is a big step in the right direction ahead of a busy summer travel season and we hope to see the agency enforce it rigorously to protect passengers as it works to balance the scales for consumers.“

Learn more about Economic Liberties here.

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The American Economic Liberties Project works to ensure America’s system of commerce is structured to advance, rather than undermine, economic liberty, fair commerce, and a secure, inclusive democracy. Economic Liberties believes true economic liberty means entrepreneurs and businesses large and small succeed on the merits of their ideas and hard work; commerce empowers consumers, workers, farmers, and engineers instead of subjecting them to discrimination and abuse from financiers and monopolists; foreign trade arrangements support domestic security and democracy; and wealth is broadly distributed to support equitable political power.