NCL Opposes DOT Proposal to Undo Truth-in-Advertising Regulations
Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829
Washington, DC – Today, the National Consumers League and six other public interest groups filed comments opposing the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (“DOT”) proposal to either weaken or entirely eliminate the Reagan-era Full Fare Advertising Rule. For over 40 years, the Full Fare Advertising Rule has required the price that airlines advertise to include all mandatory charges. If DOT continues with the most extreme proposal under consideration, there would be no meaningful requirement for the advertised airfare to resemble the actual cost charged to consumers.
“Since 1985, the Full Fare Advertising Rule has protected flyers from hidden fees and false advertising when shopping for flights,” said NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault. “DOT’s plan to undo this protection would harm the millions of travelers who depend on truthful price displays to make accurate purchasing decisions. By law, DOT must regulate in the public interest. This proceeding falls far short of that mandate.”
NCL and two other organizations also formally petitioned DOT to hold a public hearing to address the several factual disputes at the core of Department’s proposal. The deregulatory plan relies on several claims that are not supported by evidence or directly contradicted by publicly available sources.
The comments to DOT were submitted by NCL, the American Economic Liberties Project, Consumer Action, the Consumer Federation of America, FLYERSRIGHTS, the National Consumers League, Travelers United, and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. The full comments can be found here.
The petition for a hearing on the matter was submitted by NCL, the American Economic Liberties Project, and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. The full petition can be found here.
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About the National Consumers League (NCL)
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.
