Airlines

Lufthansa Cargo expands cargo services to two airports in Mexico City

Beginning on July 7, 2023, Lufthansa Cargo will continuously operate all B777 cargo flights that formerly connected Felipe Angeles International Airport to Mexico City International Airport. Thus, Lufthansa Cargo is abiding with a Mexican government regulation that forbids airlines from operating freighters to Mexico City Airport (MEX) in the future due to capacity concerns.

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Beginning in the first week of July, freight airlines will run flights to the cutting-edge Felipe Angels Airport (NLU), which is located 45 km northeast of Mexico City. The airport, which has been operating since last year, is situated on the site of a former military airstrip and is encircled by a continuously expanding infrastructure.

In the current summer flight schedule, Lufthansa Cargo offers six freighter connections with Boeing 777F aircraft to and from Mexico City’s second-largest airport, Felipe Angeles. The freighters depart from Frankfurt at midday on Tuesdays through Sundays and arrive at Los Angeles International Airport in the early hours of the morning. The freighter trips will be available to purchase beginning June 16. Lufthansa Cargo may be found at Terminal Logistics Recinto Fiscalizado Almacén #12 CR293 at Felipe Ángeles Airport.

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In addition to the connections with freighters, Lufthansa Airlines passenger planes frequently deliver cargo as belly cargo to Mexico City Airport in the country’s largest city. Mexico City Airport is still served by three weekly Airbus A350 connections from Munich as well as seven weekly direct Boeing 747-8 flights from Frankfurt. With the use of truck shuttle services, Lufthansa Cargo makes sure that the transit time for cargo shipments between the two Mexican capital airports is quick and effective.

Airlines

DOT Proposes New Passenger Compensation Rules for Flight Disruptions

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled a major initiative to enhance protections for air travelers affected by flight cancellations or significant delays caused by airlines.

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This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeks public feedback on new measures that could require airlines to compensate passengers and provide necessary services automatically.

Key Proposals by the DOT:

Cash Compensation for Airline-Caused Disruptions
- Airlines may be required to pay passengers at least $200 in cash for flight disruptions caused by circumstances under their control, such as mechanical issues or IT failures.
- A tiered compensation system is being considered:
  - $200–$300 for domestic delays of 3–6 hours.
  - $375–$525 for delays lasting 6–9 hours.
  - $750–$775 for delays exceeding 9 hours.
- The DOT is exploring whether smaller airlines should have different compensation thresholds and whether compensation is needed if passengers are notified weeks in advance of a disruption.
Free Rebooking on the Next Available Flight
- Airlines may be obligated to rebook passengers at no extra cost if a flight is canceled or delayed by at least 3 hours domestically or 6 hours internationally.
- Rebooking options may include:
  - Flights operated by the airline or its codeshare partners.
  - Flights on other carriers with which the airline has a commercial agreement if no suitable options are available within 24 hours.
Provision of Meals, Lodging, and Transportation
- Airlines may need to cover meals, overnight accommodations, and transportation for stranded passengers.
- Minimum reimbursements could be established when services aren’t provided upfront, ensuring passengers can recoup costs even without submitting receipts, up to a defined limit.

The DOT’s proposals draw inspiration from consumer protection frameworks in countries like Canada, Brazil, the UK, and the European Union. Research suggests that EU compensation requirements have successfully reduced the frequency and length of delays, demonstrating the effectiveness of such measures.

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Passengers currently face numerous hurdles when seeking compensation or services, including vague policies, lack of upfront communication, and reliance on in-person requests at airports. The new rulemaking aims to close these gaps by establishing clear, enforceable standards for airlines.

Public input on the proposed measures will shape the final rules. The DOT hopes these changes will create a more accountable and passenger-friendly system, ensuring travelers are better supported during disruptions.

With these proposed rules, the DOT seeks to make airline travel more reliable and fair, setting a new standard for passenger rights in the United States.