Source: North Carolina Lawyers Weekly
North Carolina officials have teamed up with the federal government to hold airlines accountable for their misconduct. State Attorney General Josh Stein emphasized the frequent frustrations of air travel and highlighted the partnership’s goal to safeguard North Carolina air travelers. This collaboration, established through a memorandum of understanding, involves 25 states or territories, including California, Colorado, and others, with more expressing interest.
The initiative, announced by Stein, empowers the North Carolina Department of Justice and federal agencies to jointly address consumer complaints and enforce federal aviation protection regulations. Concerns like flight delays, inadequate compensation, and baggage mishandling are among those eligible for complaint filing.
“Too often, air travel is a headache,” Attorney General Josh Stein said. “This partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation authorizes my office to better protect North Carolina air travelers when they run into issues,” Stein said.
In 2022, Stein urged the US Department of Transportation to strengthen protections for airline customers such as providing meaningful relief to people whose flights are canceled at the last minute or significantly delayed.
Under the agreement announced April 16th, Stein’s office gains authority to investigate complaints against air carriers, ticket agents, and related entities, with the DOT prioritizing these reviews and involving state attorneys general in the process. Technical support, training, and regular assessments will bolster this collaborative effort, which initially spans two years and may be extended.
Travelers seeking compensation for various issues are encouraged to consult the U.S. DOT website for further guidance.
