The Trump administration could prove more sympathetic to businesses than consumers.
The list of air travel failures of the past year sounds like a chord. “We didn’t light the fire”: chunks of plane fell mid-flight, Boeing workers go protest– CrowdStrike software issues causing thousands of planes to land Around the world, there are mergers and acquisitions of major airlines. Blocked– Passengers can Extremely unruly–
But during that same time The air travel experience is pretty great: Cancellation in first half of this year (even if the software crashes) decreased from chaos of 2022, despite being in the midst of record-breaking travel days) and last year lived up to some of the indicators. Safest on record– Biden administration implements New requirements for airlines to provide passengers with refunds for canceled or significantly changed flights and announce new rules to crack down on Airline garbage fees– flight It is very inexpensive. than many decades ago Adjusted for inflation.
Air travel conflicts have already arisen. As my colleague Charlie Warzel wrote earlier this year, “Although air safety has improved significantly over time, But the flying experience is still worse than ever.” Flying in 2024 is safe and consumer-friendly. But it’s also quite annoying. Especially for customers who are unwilling or unable. Take advantage of special privileges or upgrades that make it more livable In most economy flying situations Seats are cramped. Snacks are expensive Storage space is limited Tensions are high. various airlines Demand is at an all-time high. TSA is Prediction This week will be the busiest Thanksgiving travel week on record. But the problem of personnel shortage still exists. This increases the inconvenience for the pilot.
Many of these frustrations are the fault of the individual airlines. But the Presidential Administration’s consumer welfare approach may play a key role in the flight experience. (And what happens when things go wrong?) mistakes are inevitable) Under President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the federal government has pushed to block merger It is seen as focusing on the industry in a way that may affect consumers. and generally focuses on consumer protection. (sometimes even say of the industry) The Trump administration is likely to take an approach that Trump is “more business-friendly” than industry analyst Henry Harteveldt told me, former Rep. Sean Duffy of Wisconsin said. choose to replace Buttiegieg is Transportation Secretary. Used to be an airline lobbyist Meanwhile, the 2025 project (which Trump denies involvement with) lists airline consumer protections as “problem areas” and Many Trump allies There is violence as well. criticize Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan’s approach to antitrust policy Trump, though he hasn’t completely rolled back regulations introduced under Biden. But it can also suspend certain actions that are currently in progress. But it has not yet made its way to Congress, Harteveldt predicted.
In its first term, the Trump administration was bailed out. leave The airline industry during the early stages of the pandemic And on the Friday after Thanksgiving in 2020, Trump’s Department of Transportation announced quietly New rules redefine what constitutes deceptive behavior. For the benefit of airlines over consumers Airline industry has high hopes for Trump’s next term: Delta CEO celebrate The end of the era Southwest’s CEO says he’s “overreaching” and that he’s optimistic the next administration will “There might be a little less aggressiveness in terms of regulation or rulemaking.”
The full scope of Trump’s plan for the airline industry remains unclear. But in a statement announcing his choice for transport minister, Trump said Duffy “It will make our skies safe again by eliminating DEI for pilots and air traffic controllers,” aviation officials have expressed. worry Clean fuel projects will be stymied under Trump, who has promised to do just that. cancel Part of Biden’s Inflation Act and another of Trump’s initiatives. floating during the first term—the privatization of air traffic control—may be revived in the next term (a The overworked and sometimes dysfunctional Federal Aviation Administration Currently funded by federal dollars), if air traffic control were really operated by a private company. Consumers probably won’t see much of a difference in ticket prices, Harteveldt said, but it would be a big change to the way the travel industry operates.
Many things about travel are unpredictable. Especially during a busy week like this. Will your flight be delayed? Will your boarding area be crowded? “Door lice” Trying to cross the line? Will your seats be double-booked and will Wi-Fi be available? Some of this uncertainty is simply a fact of human experience. You can sit next to a crying baby no matter who is president. But some of that experience will be determined by the administration’s guidance over the next four years. As Trump and his allies try to balance the interests of consumers and companies, In a large, complex and closely watched industry The big question is who gets priority?
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Today’s news
- Israel and Hezbollah Agree to a ceasefire agreementThis will take effect tomorrow and stop hostilities in the region. President Joe Biden announced
- Donald Trump President Elector Said yesterday that he would do so. The tax rate is set at 25 percent. For imports from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10 percent tariff on imports from China.
- Boris Epshteyn, a top Trump aide, has been accused of asking Trump’s potential nominees for a second administration. Pay him consulting fees. If they want him to support them against Trump. Following a review by the president-elect’s legal team, Epstein has denied the allegations.
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