Biden wants airlines to pay passengers in U.S. for lengthy delays

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration said Monday it is writing new rules aimed at requiring airlines to compensate passengers for significant flight delays or cancellations when the carriers are responsible.

It is the latest in a series of moves by the Biden administration to crack down on airlines and bolster passenger consumer protections for domestic U.S. flights and international flights involving an American destination or origin.

"When an airline causes a flight cancellation or delay, passengers should not foot the bill,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.

The U.S. Department of Transportation did not specify how much cash it aims to require airlines to pay passengers for significant delays. But it asked carriers last year whether they would agree to pay at least $100 for delays of at least three hours caused by airlines.