The U.S. Government Accountability
Office on Wednesday joined a few industry groups in calling for regulations to
compel airlines to disclose ancillary service fees through all distribution
channels.
A GAO study this week recommended that
the Department of Transportation require airlines to "disclose baggage fees and
policies along with fare information such that this information can be
consistently disclosed across all distribution channels used by the airline,"
a principle endorsed by representatives for the American Society of Travel Agents,
the Interactive Travel Services Association and the Business Travel Coalition
in testimony Wednesday during a House subcommittee hearing.
DOT is examining such a
proposal in its latest round of passenger protection rules, which is in the
midst of a 180-day comment period that began with a notice of proposed
rulemaking on June 2.
DOT general counsel Robert Rivkin during the hearing on Wednesday said
the department plans to enact the rules, as shaped by comments, by the end of
the year. He said, "The department proposes to require airlines to provide
their agents and global distribution systems complete, accurate and up to date
information on ancillary fees so that the information is readily available to
consumers."