Airlines

Qantas unveils ‘Yes23’ livery for three planes, in support of Indigenous referendum

The national carrier today announced special livery on three Qantas Group aircraft in support of the Yes campaign ahead of the impending referendum for an Indigenous Voice in Parliament.

The Yes23 campaign logo will be featured on three aircraft, including a Qantas Boeing 737, a QantasLink Dash 8 Turboprop, and a Jetstar Airbus A320. The national carrier’s long-standing commitment to reconciliation and, more broadly, the idea of a “fair go” was preserved, according to Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce, who supported an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

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“Qantas has a long history of promoting reconciliation with First Nations people, starting with the inclusion of Aboriginal artwork in our in-flight magazine in the 1960s and on our aircraft starting in the 1990s, to our support for constitutional recognition in 2014, public endorsement of the Uluru Statement of the Heart in 2019, and First Nations employment and supplier commitments.

“We’re backing the Yes23 campaign because we think giving First Nations people a formal say in government will help bridge the gap in crucial spheres like health, education, and jobs. These aircraft will fly around the nation promoting a “Yes” vote, much as our Flying Art livery aircraft that showcase First Nations culture to a global audience.

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The Qantas Group is assisting the Yes23 campaign and the Uluru Dialogue teams with travel in addition to decorating three aircraft with the Yes livery so that they can interact with Australians in regional and remote areas before the referendum.

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.