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U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Appointment of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee and a June 28-29 Meeting of the Committee

Thursday, May 26, 2022

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced that Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel – an attorney general who has prioritized protecting consumers and defending civil rights – will act as the state representative and new Chair of the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee (ACPAC). Attorney General Nessel is succeeding Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey as state representative and Chair.

“It’s never been more important to protect airline passengers’ safety, rights, time, and money,” said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “I thank Attorney General Healey for her leadership as the state government representative and Chair of the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee (ACPAC) and am pleased to appoint Attorney General Nessel to continue this work, bringing valuable expertise in consumer protection and civil rights.”

The ACPAC evaluates existing aviation consumer protection programs and provides recommendations to the Secretary for strengthening these efforts. Its charter is available here. DOT also anticipates making appointments soon to an Anti-Discrimination Subcommittee to provide recommendations to the ACPAC on best practices related to civil rights training and other actions that can be taken to ensure that the airline services are delivered to travelers free from discrimination. 

As state representative and Chair of the ACPAC, Attorney General Nessel will bring considerable expertise in consumer protection and civil rights. Attorney General Nessel is a former criminal prosecutor and a civil rights attorney. She was sworn in as Attorney General of Michigan in January 2019. As Attorney General of Michigan, she has taken a lead role in fighting companies trying to take advantage of Michigan consumers.  

“Protecting consumers is one of my top priorities as Michigan’s attorney general and I look forward to bringing my knowledge to the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee,” said Nessel. “Whether residents choose air travel to conduct business, take a vacation, visit loved ones in another state, or any other reason, they should be satisfied with their experience and receive service and products that meet with their expectations. I am eager to work with the other committee members to ensure the protection of American consumers and I am thankful to Secretary Buttigieg for asking me to serve.”

The Department is also announcing that the next meeting of the ACPAC will take place in person at DOT headquarters on June 28 and 29. Two topics will be addressed at the June meeting: (1) Airline Ancillary Service Fees; and (2) Availability of Airline Flight Information.  President Biden’s Executive Order Promoting Competition in the American Economy identified both these topics as areas that the Department should examine further to better protect consumers and improve competition. Notice of this meeting, including information on how to attend, can be found here. The notice will also be published in the Federal Register.

The Department anticipates that another meeting of the ACPAC will be held later in the summer or early fall to discuss the Department’s Airline Ticket Refund notice of proposed rulemaking. That rulemaking will be submitted for review shortly to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, which is part of the Office of Management and Budget within the Executive Office of the President.    
 

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