Appeals court blocks US airline fee disclosure rule

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A U.S. appeals court on Monday blocked the U.S. Transportation Department’s new rule requiring upfront disclosure of airline fees pending a full review of the regulation.

The DOT issued final rules in April requiring airlines and ticket agents to disclose service fees alongside the airfare, saying it would help consumers avoid unneeded or unexpected fees.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted the industry’s request to block the rules saying it “likely exceeds DOT’s authority and will irreparably harm airlines” pending a full review by the court.

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(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Sandra Maler)