The DOT has once again delayed enforcement of regulations finalized late in the Biden administration that were designed to protect flyers who use wheelchairs.
In a regulatory filing, the department explained that enforcement won't begin before Aug. 1. The delay will give the Trump administration more time to determine if the regulations are consistent with the law and administration policies to consider issues raised by airlines in a Feb. 18 lawsuit challenging the rules, the notice reads.
What the regulations say
The regulations clarify the definition of a mishandled wheelchair, making it easier for the DOT to fine airlines for not returning chairs to customers in the same condition in which they were received.
The rules also require annual training for airline workers who load wheelchairs onto aircraft or who help transport flyers in wheelchairs. Workers would have to complete their initial training prior to performing wheelchair-related duties.
In addition, the regulations stipulate stiffer requirements on airlines for replacing or repairing damaged wheelchairs and for reuniting travelers with lost or delayed wheelchairs. They also require airlines to provide prompt service for assisting travelers in wheelchairs with boarding, deplaning and making flight connections.
The rules stipulate that airlines must prominently publish dimensions of the cargo hold, so that travelers can determine if their chair will fit onto an aircraft before they book. And they require airlines to reimburse travelers for any fare difference when a disabled flyer must pay more to book on a plane with large enough cargo holds.
Regulations had been set to take effect in January
In their February lawsuit, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United and the trade group Airlines for America (A4A) said that the regulations exceed the DOT's statutory authority.
A4A said in a statement at the time that it has been supportive of some of the requirements and that the suit only seeks to curtail areas of overreach.
The first of the new regulations had been scheduled to take effect on Jan. 16, with provisions gradually going into force from then through June of next year, when training-related rules were to go online.
The Trump administration had previously announced that it wouldn't enforce the wheelchair rules until March 20 of this year.