State AG James calls on federal authorities to do more to prevent flight cancelations

ALBANY, N.Y. (WHEC) — NY State Attorney General Letitia James called on federal authorities to implement policies to reduce flight delays and cancelations.

James said many of the cancelations are caused by airlines selling tickets to flights even if they don’t have enough staff to operate the plane. She sent a letter demanding that the Federal Aviation Administration crackdown on ticket sales for flights that are understaffed and ensure consumers get refunds for cancelations.

“Airlines knowingly advertising and booking flights they do not have the adequate staff to operate are flying in the face of the law,” James said.

The AG’s office said a Rochester woman who was visiting Florida had a flight rescheduled for the next day, then canceled. The woman had to book a flight on another airline, spending more than $1,100, since she needed to return home because of her young child’s special dietary needs.

News10NBC has spoken to local residents whose flights have been delayed. Chris Thompson of Rochester had big weekend plans, a trip to Las Vegas. He had a two-hour delay at the Rochester Airport and a 24-delay with his connecting flight in Philadelphia.

“No shade to Philly but you know I wanted to go to Vegas!” he said.

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James said that the U.S. Department of Transportation, which oversees the FAA, has the power to make airlines operate more fairly. She said airlines should be forced to cover consumers’ hotel, taxi ride, or gas expenses when flights are rescheduled.

So far in 2022, nearly 3% of flights were canceled, a 33% increase compared to 2019. New York City area airports have had the highest summer cancelation rates in the country, with Newark Liberty International ranking first in cancelations, LaGuardia ranking second, and JFK International ranking ninth.