Consumer protection: USA wants to hold airline managers accountable more quickly

It is a thorn in the side of the United States government that the enforcement of consumer and passenger rights against airlines and agencies is often complicated and sometimes delayed by providers.

Now 18 public prosecutors want to enable fast-track investigations. In this regard, a move by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has been announced. The plan is supported by both the ruling Democrats and the Republicans in opposition. Both parties agree that there is a lot of catching up to do when it comes to actually enforcing consumer rights in the airline and travel industry.

This should be quite unpleasant for those responsible, because the purpose is that managers who do not comply with applicable law or deliberately delay consumers' claims can be quickly and effectively held criminally responsible. In this context, the focus is obviously on deterrence, because it is often the case that when the first cases in which hefty sentences were imposed, people quickly reconsider if they themselves could become the next case...