Amid yet another wave of 2022 flight disruptions, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is calling on the DOT to take action to punish airlines for delaying passengers.
"The American people are sick of airlines ripping them off, canceling flights at the last minute and delaying flights for hours on end," Sanders tweeted.
In a letter attached to the tweet above, the Senator called on Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to "take immediate action to substantially reduce the number of airline cancellations and delays".
"All over this country, airline passengers are growing increasingly frustrated by the massive increase in flight delays, cancellations, and outrageously high prices they are forced to pay for tickets, checked bags and other fees," Sanders wrote. "Thousands of flight disruptions have left passengers and crew members stranded at crowded airports from one end of the country to the other forcing them to miss weddings, funerals, and business meetings and ruining family vacations that have been planned for months in advance."
In the letter, Sanders pointed out that the price of air travel has gone up by 38% over the past year, despite a 50% jump in delays and an 18% increase in cancellations. According to Sanders, so far one out of every five 2022 flights has been delayed in some way. Sanders also noted in his letter that cancellations on high-travel weekends are four times higher than at the same times in 2019.
Demand for air travel is on the rise, and the industry is currently facing a pilot shortage. However, the American Airlines (NASDAQ: AAL) union has alleged that airlines are intentionally booking flights that they know they don't have the staff to operate.
"That is simply unacceptable," Sanders wrote regarding the allegations. "Let's be clear. During the pandemic, when air travel came to a near halt, U.S. taxpayers came to the rescue and gave $54 billion to the airline industry."
"Given all of the generous taxpayer support that has been provided to the airline industry, all of us have a responsibility to make sure that passengers and crew members are treated with respect, not contempt," Sanders continued.
Sanders is calling for Buttigieg to introduce three new requirements for airlines. First, he says airlines should be required to "promptly" offer refunds to passengers whose flights have been delayed by more than an hour. Second, he says airlines should be fined $27,500 per passenger for flights that are delayed by more than two hours. And, finally, the Senator says that airlines should be fined $55,000 per passenger for flights that they schedule despite knowing they won't be able to staff them.
"Taxpayers bailed out the airline industry during their time of need. Now, it is the responsibility of the airline industry and the Department of Transportation to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that the flying public and crew members are able to get to their destinations on time and without delay," Sanders wrote.
Senator Sanders isn't alone in his anger about the flight disruptions. Senators Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Ed Markey of Massachusetts wrote a letter to executives from the 10 largest airlines on June 29, demanding an explanation for the delays and cancellations, and calling for refunds for passengers with cancelled flights.
For his part, Buttigieg says that he has received guarantees from airline executives that they will be taking extra precautions to make sure that air travel is smooth for the 4th of July weekend, but still said he's worried about possible disruptions.