Travelers have been faced with extremely frustrating and complicated flying experiences in recent months, largely due to a slew of cancellations and delays partially caused by labor shortages. Now, the Department of Transportation (DOT) said it is launching a website in a couple of weeks to "show each airline's policies regarding cancellations and delays," according to NBC.
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In addition, the DOT is urging airlines to improve their customer service "or the agency will proceed with a plan to order a rule change," per NBC.
The announcements come on the heels of the DOT's proposal earlier this month, which "would significantly strengthen protections for consumers seeking refunds for airline tickets," as GOBankingRates previously reported.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said that the travel disruptions were unacceptable, NBC detailed.
"The message to the airlines is that you've got to make it easier for passengers to understand their rights. And you've got to support passengers when they experience delays or cancellations," he told the outlet.
So far this year, 20% of U.S. flights have been delayed and 3.2% have been canceled, according to DOT data.
Earlier this month, the DOT said that while it has required airlines and ticket agents to refund travelers if airlines cancel or significantly change their flights, the terms "significant change" and "cancellation" had not previously been defined, "which has resulted in inconsistency among carriers on when passengers are entitled to refunds."
Under the new rules, significant changes to a flight would mean:
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"When Americans buy an airline ticket, they should get to their destination safely, reliably, and affordably," Buttigieg said in an Aug. 3 DOT release. "This new proposed rule would protect the rights of travelers and help ensure they get the timely refunds they deserve from the airlines."
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Stranded Travelers' Rights: DOT Tells Airlines Do Better With Customer Service or We Will Take Over