By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A group of U.S. House lawmakers on Friday called on the Trump administration to enforce key provisions of a rule issued by former President Joe Biden’s administration that requires new consumer protections for disabled passengers using wheelchairs.
“These standards ensure that passengers with disabilities can travel safely and with dignity,” said the letter signed by 14 Democrats on the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee including Greg Stanton, Rick Larsen and Andre Carson.
United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways airline trade group Airlines for America filed suit in February challenging the rule that set stricter standards for accommodating passengers with wheelchairs.
The U.S. Transportation Department said in September it would not enforce the provisions pending a review, including one imposing liability on airlines for mishandled wheelchairs. Another requirement was that airlines reimburse passengers using wheelchairs the difference between a fare on a flight taken and one the passenger would have paid if their wheelchair could have fit in the cabin or cargo compartment of a different aircraft.
USDOT and the airline group did not immediately comment.
The rule also requires carriers to reimburse passengers for damage to wheelchairs and to notify passengers about their rights in writing when they are checking wheelchairs or scooters.
Last year, USDOT said an estimated 5.5 million Americans use a wheelchair or other mobility device. Data shows for every 100 wheelchairs or scooters transported on domestic flights at least one is damaged, delayed, or lost.
In October 2024, USDOT fined American Airlines a record $50 million for its treatment of disabled passengers, including failing to provide some with adequate assistance and mishandling wheelchairs.
Last week, USDOT withdrew a Biden plan to require airlines to pay passengers cash compensation when U.S. flight disruptions are caused by carriers.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chris Reese and Deepa Babington)
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