Press Release
☷2023 by the Numbers More Flights Fewer Cancellations More Consumer Protections
U.S. Department of Transportation ( By Press Release office)
Jan 04,2024
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Prior to the holiday travel season , Southwest Airlines faced a $140 million penalty for their poor handling of passengers during the 2022 holiday chaos . This penalty , along with over $600 million in refunds already secured by the Department of Transportation , requires Southwest to establish a compensation system of $90 million for future passengers affected by significant delays and cancellations . This action , which is 30 times larger than any previous penalty for consumer protection violations , serves as a warning to all airlines to prioritize their passengers ' needs during busy travel periods . Travel during the Christmas and New Year ' s period went particularly well , with a cancellation rate of only 0 . 8 percent despite a high number of passengers . This is a significant improvement compared to the 8 . 2 percent cancellation rate during the same period in 2022 . The Department of Transportation has not only focused on improving operations but has also increased protections for airline passengers . Secretary Buttigieg has urged airlines to enhance their customer service and has launched an airline customer service dashboard to keep track of their commitments . Now , all major airlines guarantee free rebooking , meals , and in most cases , hotel accommodations when there are delays or cancellations due to airline issues . The flight cancellation rate during the Christmas and New Year ' s season was less than one percent , which is the lowest it has been in the past decade . This is good news for travelers , as there were also expanded consumer protections in place . Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed his gratitude to the aviation safety professionals for their hard work in ensuring safe and smooth travels for millions of people last year . In 2023 , there were a total of 16 . 3 million flights with a cancellation rate below 1 . 2 percent , making it the lowest rate in ten years . The Transportation Security Administration also reported that 2023 was the busiest year for air travel ever . Under Secretary Buttigieg ' s leadership , the Department of Transportation has successfully returned over $3 billion in refunds and reimbursements to travelers , issued record - breaking fines against airlines for their mistreatment of passengers , and is working towards the most significant expansion of airline consumer rights in decades . The Federal Aviation Administration also provides regular updates on aviation conditions and operations , as well as information on how to check airspace status .
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