Mexico Proposes New Rules for Flights
Mexico is considering new rules for flights, including limiting wait times on the plane and prohibiting overselling of tickets.
The Mexican government is proposing new rules for flights in an effort to improve the experience for passengers. One of the proposed rules would limit the amount of time passengers can be kept waiting on a plane that is not taking off.
Proposed Wait Time Limits
The proposal suggests that passengers on domestic flights should not be kept waiting on a plane for more than one hour, while passengers on international flights should not be kept waiting for more than two hours. If the wait time exceeds 30 minutes, the airline would be required to provide free water and snacks to passengers.
Prohibition on Overselling Tickets
Another proposed rule would prohibit airlines from selling more tickets than there are available seats on a plane. This would prevent passengers from being bumped from a flight due to overselling. The proposal also suggests that passengers should be guaranteed a seat on a flight once they have purchased a ticket, without having to pay an additional fee.
Passenger Rights
The proposal also aims to expand the rights of passengers, including the right to a refund or compensation if a flight is delayed or cancelled. Currently, passengers have the right to compensation if a flight is delayed or cancelled due to the airline's fault. The proposed rules would provide more specific guidelines for when passengers are entitled to compensation.
Comparison of Proposed Rules
The following table compares the proposed rules for domestic and international flights:
| Type of Flight | Maximum Wait Time | Free Water and Snacks |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic | 1 hour | After 30 minutes |
| International | 2 hours | After 30 minutes |
The proposal also includes other changes, such as allowing passengers to keep their return flight even if they miss their outbound flight, and automatically refunding the airport usage fee if a flight is not used.
Existing Passenger Rights
According to the Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor (Profeco), passengers already have certain rights under the Law of Civil Aviation and the Federal Law of Consumer Protection. These rights include:
- Compensation for delays of more than one hour and less than four hours
- The option to choose between a refund and compensation, or a substitute flight, for delays of more than four hours
- The option to choose between a refund, compensation, or a substitute flight, if a flight is cancelled
- The right to be transferred to another flight and receive economic compensation if a passenger is bumped from a flight due to overselling
The proposed rules would provide more specific guidelines for when passengers are entitled to compensation and would expand the rights of passengers. However, the proposal still needs to go through the legislative process before it can become law.
