India, April 25 -- U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has announced two final rules that require airlines to provide automatic cash refunds to passengers when owed, and protect consumers from costly surprise airline fees.
The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that the new rules will save consumers more than half a billion dollars every year in hidden and surprise junk fees.
"Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them - without having to ask," said Buttigieg. "Today's announcements will require airlines to both provide passengers better information about costs before ticket purchase, and promptly provide cash refunds to passengers when they are...