Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg thinks airlines are too stingy with refunds. He told TPG how he wants to fix it.⁠ ⁠ A new set of rules proposed by the Department of Transportation would make it easier for passengers to get refunds from airlines when flights are canceled, delayed or itineraries are altered.⁠ ⁠ In an interview with TPG, Buttigieg described the proposed rules as building upon federal consumer protections already in place.⁠ ⁠ “Every step moves us further towards passengers being more protected,” he said. “This is based on authorities that have built up over time, but it’s clear that the passenger experience isn’t good enough, and we need to do more to clarify airlines’ responsibilities and to make clear what we’re going to do to enforce them.”⁠ ⁠ The rules are not in place yet — and could look different when they are eventually implemented at the end of a fairly lengthy process.⁠ ⁠ It all begins with a “notice of proposed rulemaking,” which once issued by DOT opens the potential rule to a 90-day public comment period. After comments are reviewed, revisions — if warranted — could require another period of public comment. ⁠ ⁠ After that, the DOT drafts a proposed final rule, which is reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget for at least another 90 days. Further revisions required by OMB, along with reviews by Congress and the Government Accountability Office, can then take another 60 days.⁠ ⁠ Still, even with all of that, Buttigieg is optimistic that the rules can be in place relatively soon.⁠ ⁠ “I think we can move this one pretty quickly, barring any surprises,” he said. “We are going to be responsive to feedback and the suggestions that come in.”⁠ ⁠ Visit the link in our bio to read more and to sign up for our daily newsletter for more news.