The Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled new measures to strengthen passenger protections and cut flight delays this summer. DOT finalized changes to its so-called bumping rule, which doubles the limit on compensation airlines must pay passengers who are involuntarily bumped from their flight. Under the new rule which goes into effect next month, fliers who are involuntarily bumped, will be awarded as much as $800. DOT also announced new air traffic measures designed to help cut delays this summer. The first involves new and greater flexibility for aircraft to use alternative routes in the sky to avoid severe weather. This includes a new routing alternative that provides an “escape route” into Canadian airspace from the New York metropolitan area..
In addition, the FAA will open a second westbound route for aircraft, in effect providing a parallel route, helping to cut westbound delays from the New York area. DOT also is proposing a new way to manage congestion at New York’s LaGuardia Airport.