Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced a new partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) aimed at enhancing protections for airline passengers. The agreement focuses on reviewing and resolving consumer complaints against airlines and ticket agents, with a strong emphasis on upholding federal aviation consumer protection requirements.

In a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Michigan Department of Attorney General and the DOT, a streamlined process for addressing consumer complaints against air travel companies has been outlined. Nessel emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “By working hand-in-hand, we will significantly enhance protections for passengers, creating a safer, more positive travel experience while ensuring bad actors are held accountable.”

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg echoed Nessel's sentiments, highlighting the collaborative effort as a crucial step in holding airlines and ticket agents accountable for their actions. Buttigieg stated, “By partnering with a bipartisan group of state attorneys general, the U.S. Department of Transportation has expanded our ability to protect passengers from unfair or deceptive practices.”

Under the historic agreement, the attorney general’s office in Michigan will be authorized to investigate consumer complaints against air carriers, ticket agents, and other air travel companies regulated by the DOT. The DOT will provide technical assistance and training to the attorney general’s office staff, ensuring effective handling of consumer complaints.

The MOU is set to last for two years, with the possibility of extensions agreed upon at two-year intervals. Nessel has also called on the federal government to strengthen protections for airline passengers, advocating for state attorneys general to have enforcement powers over federal consumer protection laws governing the airline industry.

Several other states and territories have either signed an MOU with the DOT or expressed interest in executing such an agreement, demonstrating a widespread commitment to safeguarding the rights of airline passengers. Through this partnership, Michigan and the DOT aim to create a more transparent and accountable system for addressing consumer complaints in the aviation industry.