South Raleigh News

Attorney General Josh Stein has announced a new partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation aimed at enhancing consumer protection for airline passengers in North Carolina. Stein expressed the need for such collaboration, stating, "Too often, air travel is a headache. This partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation authorizes my office to better protect North Carolina air travelers when they run into issues."

The initiative involves a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office and the DOT to address consumer complaints against airlines and ticket agents. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating, “We take our mission to protect consumers seriously, and today’s launch of the Airline Passenger Protection Partnership is an important milestone in that effort.”

The partnership will empower the attorney general’s office to investigate complaints against air carriers, ticket agents, and other air travel companies supervised by the DOT. This collaboration reinforces state and federal commitments to safeguard the rights of travelers amidst common concerns such as flight disruptions, refund issues, and baggage complications.

Under the agreement, the DOT will provide support by offering technical assistance and training to the attorney general’s office staff. Additionally, regular meetings will be held to evaluate ongoing efforts and provide updates on actions taken in response to complaints referred by the state of North Carolina.

Attorney General Stein has been a vocal advocate for enhancing protections for airline passengers and has called on Congress to authorize state attorneys general to enforce federal consumer protection laws within the airline industry. The MOU, which will initially span two years, may be extended in two-year intervals upon mutual agreement between North Carolina and the DOT.

The partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation reflects a broader effort to hold airlines and ticket agents accountable and ensure passengers are safeguarded from unfair or deceptive practices. Other states that have signed similar MOUs with the DOT include California, Colorado, Connecticut, and several others, highlighting a collaborative approach to enhancing consumer protection in air travel.