Flight refunds: Pete Buttigieg urges airline CEOs to comply with new law

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg reminded the CEOs of the 10 largest U.S. airlines that they are required to provide refunds for canceled or delayed flights under a law passed in May, rejecting an industry request for more refunds. Time to comply.

“As we emerge from the air travel disruptions caused by this month’s global technology outage and the continued busy summer travel season, I want to ensure clarity when it comes to air traveler rights and airline obligations,” he wrote in a letter to airline CEOs.

Buttigieg stressed that the FAA Reauthorization Act “did not provide for an extension or delay.” “Accordingly, we will take all appropriate steps to enforce these provisions using our investigative and enforcement authorities.”

Airlines for America, a trade group representing airlines including American Airlines (NASDAQ:AL) and Delta Air Lines (New York Stock Exchange: DApple has asked for more time to comply with the law, saying that technical solutions required to comply need to undergo “extensive development, testing and improvement prior to successful deployment.”

Buttigieg too Starch “Concerns that some airlines may not inform passengers of their right to a refund, airlines should not automatically issue vouchers or credits when a passenger is entitled to a refund, and if passengers choose to receive vouchers or credits, they should be valid for at least five years.”

His letter came a day after an appeals court blocked the Transportation Department’s airline fee disclosure rule from taking effect in October. Reuters Reportedwhere a three-judge panel said the order “likely exceeds the authority of the Department of Transportation.”