Agency sets new rules for denied boarding

The Transportation Department said it has finalized changes to its bumping rules, doubling the compensation airlines must pay to passengers who face “involuntary denied boarding” when they have a confirmed reservation. The new rules take effect in May. Passengers will get up to $400 if the airline rebooks them on a flight that will get them to their destination within two hours of their originally scheduled arrival time, or four hours on international flights. The compensation limit is $800 if it takes longer than that. The rule also was expanded to cover more aircraft types – i.e., any plane that seats 30 or more passengers; the current rule applies to aircraft with 60 or more seats. Besides the specified compensation, bumped passengers get to keep the value of their original ticket for future use, or get a refund.

Meanwhile, DOT also said it is taking steps designed to reduce delays this summer. It will provide more routing options for westbound flights departing the New York area, including one through Canadian airspace for flying around thunderstorms, and a new westbound route paralleling the existing one to permit more flights to operate without backing up. DOT also said it is considering new rules will permit slot auctions at LaGuardia Airport, since flight operations at LGA have been capped since 1968. The slot auctions presumably would give new entrants and low-cost carriers a chance at access to the crowded, close-in airport.