US will not enforce Biden wheelchair passenger protection rule

The US Transportation Department said on Monday that it will not enforce key provisions of a rule issued in December by former President Joe Biden's administration that requires new consumer protections for disabled passengers using wheelchairs. United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways and airline trade group Airlines for America filed suit in February challenging the rule that set stricter standards for accommodating passengers with wheelchairs. The rule also requires carriers to reimburse passengers for damage to wheelchairs. USDOT said in a filing it is writing a new rule and will not enforce the requirements imposing airline liability for mishandled wheelchairs or a requirement for airlines to reimburse passengers using wheelchairs the difference between a fare...