Airlines get a temporary pass on new wheelchair rules while the government rethinks them

The US Department of Transportation is delaying enforcement of new rules meant to protect air travelers who use wheelchairs. This means airlines do not have to follow new requirements for liability, training, notifications, and fare reimbursements while the government considers changing them.

New rules for air travel with wheelchairs were supposed to make things easier for passengers and hold airlines more accountable. Now, the government is pausing some of those rules. This gives airlines a break from complying with requirements they found burdensome, but it leaves passengers with disabilities in the same situation they were in before the new rules were announced.