Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg defended the Biden administration’s airline regulations Thursday, dismissing claims from airline CEOs that the rules are overly burdensome. Buttigieg highlighted strong public support for policies like automatic refunds for canceled flights, emphasizing they benefit both passengers and the industry.
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian and Southwest Airlines CEO Robert Jordan criticized the regulations, expressing optimism for a less stringent approach under the Trump administration. Buttigieg countered by pointing to Delta’s recent $2.6 billion profit as evidence that consumer protections and profitability can coexist, urging airlines to prioritize passengers over regulatory complaints.
With President-elect Donald Trump taking office soon, the industry anticipates potential regulatory rollbacks, while ongoing investigations into flight cancellations and transparency remain contentious.
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