To Contact us, please write the Assistant General Counsel for Aviation and Proceedings, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590, or Telephone 202-366-9342.
The aviation economic laws subject to DOT jurisdiction fall into two general categories.
The first relates to consumer protection and encompasses many areas, including unfair and deceptive practices and unfair competition by air carriers and travel agents, deceptive airline advertising (e.g., fare, on-time performance, schedule, code sharing, etc.), violations of denied boarding compensation rules, violations of disabled air traveler rules, violations of ticket refund and lost baggage liability requirements, violations of public charter rules and violations of rules restricting ticket sales or service to countries posing a security risk to passengers and carriers.
Investigates violations of the Department's aviation economic requirements on behalf of the Department.
Pursues enforcement action, which may be in the nature of warning letters or more formal action, such as consent orders or administrative litigation to impose cease and desist provisions and civil penalties on those who violate DOT statutes or regulations and orders, seek injunctive relief in U.S. District Courts.
The second category concerns carrier authority to conduct services being provided. Covered within this category are unauthorized air transportation operations by foreign carriers within the U.S. (cabotage) or to or from the U.S. Also covered are the holding out of service or operations in air transportation by unauthorized U.S. companies. In essence, enforcement action is pursued against any company or carrier offering service for which it has not been found fit by DOT. Requirements relating to continuing fitness (e.g., reporting requirements and insurance rules) are also enforced to ensure authority provisions continue to be met.
Provides legal review and investigative support on initial and continuing fitness matters (non-enforcement).
Acts as Public Counsel in hearing cases involving fitness or international aviation carrier selection proceedings.
Acts as the prosecutor in cases conducted under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act to obtain penalties for false statements or false claims made to OST.
Receives informal complaints from members of the public regarding aviation consumer issues.
Verifies compliance with DOT's aviation consumer protection requirements.
Provides guidance to the industry and members of the public on consumer protection matters.
Makes available to the public information on pertinent consumer matters