New Rule Proposes Passengers Sue Airlines for Delayed Flights

Frustrated by your delayed flight? You may soon be able to take recourse. The Wall Street Journal reports that a new proposal from the Department of Transportation allows passengers to take legal action against airlines under the basis of breach of contract/

If the proposal is approved, carriers will be required to come up with a contingency plan in the event of long delays on the tarmac, and will also need to give time limits for such delays.

In addition, airlines will have to publish data on their tarmac delays on their websites, and will also be open to civil action.

Elizabeth Merida, a spokeswoman for the Air Transport Association, told the newspaper: "We agree with the emphasis placed on consumer protection … however, there are a number of issues raised by this proposal which have yet to be resolved, including items relating to the contents of carriers' contracts of carriage."

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