The Trump administration has decided to drop a plan from the Biden era that aimed to give more rights to airline passengers. The plan, proposed in December during the final weeks of President Joe Biden’s administration, would have required airlines to pay stranded passengers with cash, provide free meals, and arrange lodging when flights were cancelled or delayed because of the airline itself.

If implemented, this rule would have brought U.S. airline policies closer to European standards. In Europe, passengers are entitled to compensation and proper facilities if their flights are cancelled or delayed for reasons within the airline’s control. The Biden administration had introduced the proposal to ensure fair treatment of American travellers who often face long delays or cancellations without much support.

However, the Trump administration’s Transportation Department announced on Thursday that it is abandoning the plan. The department explained that removing the rule was “consistent with Department and administration priorities.” President Donald Trump has made it a priority to cut back on federal regulations that his administration considers unnecessary or costly for businesses.

The airline industry has welcomed this decision. Airlines for America, a trade group representing major U.S. carriers such as United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines, supported the move. The group has long argued that extra rules and mandatory compensation would increase operating costs for airlines, and these costs could eventually be passed on to passengers through higher ticket prices.

By scrapping the proposed rule, airlines will not be legally required to offer cash payments, hotel stays, or meals when cancellations or delays occur due to issues caused by the airline, such as mechanical problems or crew shortages. Instead, it will remain up to individual carriers to decide what assistance they provide.

In short, while the Biden-era proposal aimed to strengthen passenger rights, the Trump administration has chosen to prioritise reducing regulations and supporting airline companies, leaving travellers with fewer guaranteed protections in cases of flight disruptions.