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Major U.S Airlines Pushback Against New USDOT Ruling, Clashing with Biden Administration!

Just a few weeks ago, a new federal rule was making headlines across the US as the United States Department of Transportation announced new aviation rules. Under the new rule, travellers can now be guaranteed an automatic cash refund. This rule was largely supported by travellers, however, even upon announcement, there was pushback from airlines. Additionally, the USDOT also ruled to help travellers stay more cautious of unneeded and unexpected fees. Although the USDOT appears to be making rules to help travellers, airline pushbacks are working against these new rules.

Major Clash Between Biden Administration and Air Carriers Over New Ruling

Although travellers from all across the US were waiting for a positive ruling, it appears that there is more pushback than anticipated on some of the new federal rules. Reuters is now reporting that major U.S airlines are suing the U.S Transportation Department over one of the new rulings. The airlines pushing back on the Biden administration include United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. This major pushback comes as the USDOT issued its final ruling just last month. According to Reuters, the ruling required lines and ticket agents to disclose service fees alongside the airfare. With this, customers could be more cautious of unnecessary or unexpected fees.

Reuters is also reporting that USDOT says consumers are overpaying around $543 million in fees annually. This means that airlines and ticketing agencies are getting additional revenues from consumers who are paying these surprise fees. The new ruling could easily help avoid these fees, helping travellers with high travel costs around the U.S.

USDOT said Monday it will vigorously defend our rule protecting people from hidden junk fees and ensuring travelers can see the full price of a flight before they purchase a ticket, reuters reports.

Some of the additional fees include higher fees for checked baggage if not paid in advance in addition to major airlines boosting the fees being charged. Statistics show that U.S. airlines collected around $6.8 billion just in baggage fees. These fees are reported to be a bit lower in 2023, coming to a grand total of $5.5 billion. It appears that the ruling on automatic pushbacks has not been challenged separately yet.

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World’s Tallest Bridge: China’s Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge Set to Open in 2025

World’s Tallest Bridge

In the rugged heart of China’s Guizhou province, a colossal structure is about to redefine both engineering limits and the way we think about travel. The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, scheduled to open in June 2025, will claim the title of the world’s tallest bridge – an extraordinary feat of modern infrastructure rising 625 meters above the Beipan River.

A Monumental Feat of Engineering

At more than twice the height of the Eiffel Tower, this steel-truss suspension bridge stretches nearly three kilometers in length, floating above a canyon so deep and dramatic it’s often called the “Earth’s crack.” Engineers designed the bridge to conquer one of the most inhospitable terrains in the country. The bridge does more than impress with its staggering scale – it transforms how people connect, live, and move.

For generations, the daunting topography of Guizhou made basic travel across the region painfully slow. What used to be a treacherous, hour-long drive along winding mountain roads now takes just one minute on the world’s highest bridge. This leap in connectivity offers more than just a convenience – it gives rural communities a lifeline. Local farmers, students, and businesses now find themselves just moments from city centers, schools, hospitals, and markets.

A Triumph of Speed and Precision

Engineers built China’s Huajiang Bridge in just over three years – and finished ahead of schedule – making it a triumph of speed and precision. Remarkably, construction crews assembled its 22,000-ton steel trusses in record time; the trusses weigh as much as three Eiffel Towers combined. Yet despite its weight and reach, the structure retains an elegant design tailored to resist high-altitude wind forces. Moreover, engineers installed a web of advanced sensors beneath the bridge’s sleek profile to monitor real-time conditions like vibration and temperature, ensuring safety in the long term.

Tourism and Economic Opportunities

However, this is not just a bridge for commuters. With a planned glass walkway and the world’s highest bungee jump, Huajiang is primed to become a magnet for thrill-seekers and sightseers. Tourism officials in Guizhou already position it as a new centerpiece in the province’s push to become a global destination – a strategy that could bring in revenue, create jobs, and fuel a fresh wave of economic development.

In a country already home to most of the tallest bridges on Earth, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge boldly symbolizes China’s ambition. It shows what can happen when vision, engineering, and political will align – when people don’t just build infrastructure, but imagine it on a scale that feels almost unreal.

Feature Image via NewsAtlas

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