The U.S. Department of Transportation has delayed the effective date of its rule recategorizing reasons for airline delays and cancellations to Feb. 1, 2027, from Oct. 19, according to a notice filed in the Federal Register.
The new disruption category classification, which is Section 511(b) of the 2024 FAA Reauthorization legislation, includes 10 reasons that will no longer be classified as within control of the airline, meaning that travelers could lose access to lodging accommodation and meal vouchers when flights are canceled or delayed.
Airline lobbying group Airlines for America had requested a delay so that changes to reporting under the final rule would start for flights beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
The delay provides additional time for the agency to update the Bureau of Transportation Statistics technical reporting directive, for "industry stakeholders to update their systems to ensure that the data is collected, reported and ingested properly" and for BTS to update its own systems, according to the filing.
Carriers must submit reports on the causes of flight cancellations and delays to BTS within 15 days of the end of the month for which data are reported. The delay of the effective date for the new reporting requirement to Feb. 1 will apply to the disruptions occurring on or after Jan. 1.
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