In an announcement ahead of the busy holiday travel season, the department also said it's fining those airlines $7.25 million for "extreme delays" in providing those refunds.


Ultra low-cost carrier Frontier, the only U.S. airline to face fines, is refunding $222 million and paying a $2.2 million civil penalty, the DOT said.
TAP Portugal will refund $126.5 million; Air India will pay $121.5 million; Aeromexico will pay $13.6 million; Israel's El Al will pay $61.9 million; and Colombia's Avianca will pay $76.8 million. The five airlines also face fines between $750,000 and $1.4 million.
"When a flight gets canceled, passengers seeking refunds should be paid back promptly," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.
"Whenever that doesn't happen, we will act to hold airlines accountable on behalf of American travelers and get passengers their money back. A flight cancellation is frustrating enough, and you shouldn't also have to haggle or wait months to get your refund."
Airlines are required under federal law to refund customers when a flight is canceled or significantly delayed and they don't wish to accept offers of vouchers or credit for future travel.







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