Gov't announces new steps to protect airline consumers

WASHINGTON (AP) — Saying they want to boost competition in the airline industry, Obama administration officials issued new regulations Tuesday aimed at providing passengers with more information to compare the performance of air carriers and the cost of flights.

Congress directed the department in an aviation bill passed over the summer to require airlines to refund checked bag fees to passengers whose luggage is delayed 12 hours or more for domestic flights or 15 hours or more for overseas flights.

The department also issued several final rules aimed at giving passengers better information when they purchase tickets and for judging the performance of air carriers.

Leocha also criticized the department's plans to start a separate rulemaking process to explore whether airlines should be required to share information with ticket agents on fees for services like checked bags, advance seat assignments and priority boarding.

The department has already sought public comments on the matter and consumer advocates had hoped the government was finally ready to take concrete action.