Some airline passenger-protection rules delayed

July 25, 2011

The government will delay some airline consumer-protection rules for several months after airline groups said they needed more time to prepare for the changes.

The delayed rules include disclosing the full cost of travel in advertisements, requiring baggage fees be listed in electronic-ticket confirmations, and giving travelers 24 hours to cancel tickets without penalty.

The Transportation Department said some rules will not take effect until Jan. 24. Most would have taken effect Aug. 23, although the advertising requirement was due to start Oct. 24.

Some provisions, including an increase in compensation for passengers who are bumped off oversold flights, will still take effect Aug. 23, the department said. So will penalties for international flights that are delayed on the tarmac for at least four hours.

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