Biden proposes rule to hold airlines accountable for long delays, cancellations

HONOLULU (KHON2) — The next time your flight’s delayed you may end up getting paid.

The Biden administration proposed new rules today ahead of the busy summer travel season aimed at holding airlines accountable for long delays and cancellations.

“I know how frustrated many of you are with the service you get from your U.S. Airlines that’s why our top priority has been to get American air travelers a better deal,” said President Joe Biden.

President Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg want airlines to reimburse passengers for their expenses if airlines cancel or delay flights for reasons within their control, such as mechanical issues or crew staffing.

Hawaiian Airlines has experienced more delays and cancellations than in previous years.

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Hawaii went from an 85 percent on-time rate in 2018 and 2019 to 75 percent on-time rate in 2023. Cancellations more than quadrupled too.

Monday morning a flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles International Airport was canceled.

Travelers said they were notified around 10 a.m. Sunday but weren’t given a reason.

“They never contacted us, they said they would but maybe they’re just overwhelmed with people and stuff and it’s understandable and every time you travel you have to be flexible and patient,” said Barbara Corona, a Hawaiian Airlines traveler.

They said Hawaiian didn’t offer them any compensation

“A meal voucher?” KHON2 News asked.

“Nothing,” said Corona.

Although passengers on HA10 said they weren’t given a reason why their flight was canceled Monday morning, the airline told KHON2 News it was due to a mechanical issue.

Under the new federal proposal, mechanical issues would be covered as passenger compensation.

Chicago resident, Sheri Coleman said she’s flown on several airlines and hasn’t been offered compensation, “I think it’s good, I’ve had it happen to me a few times and we had to pay out of pocket, pay for a hotel, food and everything all over again when we were supposed to be gone.”

Another Hawaiian passenger re-booked his flight to an earlier time so he would make his work meeting on Monday and his flight was still delayed.

“That is a contractual agreement we have that they are to supply a service, and we’re paying for that service — yet anytime there’s a change on our end we pay for it,” said Bob Fish, whose flight was delayed from Lihue. “If there’s a change on their end, we pay for it, doesn’t seem really fair.”

Hawaiian Airlines provided the following statement in regard to the federal proposal:

While our industry-leading reliability has been impacted by Honolulu’s runway repair project and air traffic control changes, we regularly operate a schedule of some 250 daily flights with a cancelation rate below 1 percent. When disruptions occur, we take care of our guests by providing them with options ranging from accommodations on other flights to compensation, in accordance with our policies and federal regulations.