Southern New Mexico congressman pushes to reinstate consumer protections requiring airlines to cover costs for delays and cancellations under carrier control.

Organ Mountain News report

WASHINGTON - As holiday travel ramps up nationwide, U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez urged the U.S. Department of Transportation to reinstate airline consumer protection rules that require compensation for travelers affected by preventable delays and cancellations.

Vasquez called on DOT Secretary Pete Duffy to restore a policy that would require airlines to compensate passengers between $200 and $775 when flight disruptions fall under the carrier’s control.

In a joint letter with Rep. Greg Stanton of Arizona and dozens of other Democratic lawmakers, Vasquez emphasized that the rule would also obligate airlines to provide free meals, lodging and rebooking when delays stem from issues such as mechanical failures.

“This isn’t rocket science. Flights are expensive, and flight delays and cancellations are frustrating,” Vasquez said. “Many New Mexicans are out of luck and out of money when these preventable delays and cancellations happen, and they must be compensated, just as they would in any other industry. Let’s restore the rule and restore faith in air travel.”

Vasquez tied the request to his broader efforts to hold corporations accountable for rising costs and to protect New Mexicans from absorbing expenses caused by corporate mismanagement.

Air travelers now face record delays as the aviation system continues to recover from staffing shortages among air traffic controllers following federal shutdown disruptions. An estimated 6 million Americans are expected to travel by air during the Thanksgiving period this week, increasing pressure on an already strained system.