Attorney General Josh Kaul announced airline protection partnership with U.S. DOT

"Airlines and ticket agents conducting business in Wisconsin must do so honestly and treat consumers fairly," said Attorney General Kaul. "This partnership will help ensure that airline passengers are effectively protected against deceptive practices."

The new process for addressing consumer complaints against air travel companies, outlined in a memorandum of understanding (MOU), between the Wisconsin Attorney General's Office, Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), and the U.S. DOT. Wisconsin is one of 25 states or territories that either signed an MOU with the U.S. DOT or expressed an interest in signing the agreement.

Federal law places the responsibility for protecting airline consumers with the  DOT. 

Under the agreement, the attorney general's office will be authorized to investigate consumer complaints against air carriers, ticket agents, and other travel companies supervised by the DOT.

The attorney general's office and DATCP will work with consumers and companies to resolve complaints and if necessary, take complaints to the DOT's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP).

The OACP will prioritize their review, including attorney general's office staff on letters of inquiry to those companies based on referrals and consult with the attorney general's office before determining next steps. 

The DOT will also provide technical assistance and training staff in the attorney general's office and will meet at least once a year with the attorney general's office to assess ongoing efforts. 

The MOU will last two years, and Wisconsin and DOT may agree to extend it at two-year intervals after the agreement ends. 

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