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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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Maldivian Introduces Direct Flights to Three Major Cities in China

Maldivian Direct Flights to China launched with new routes

The national Airline of Maldives; Maldivian has launched direct flights to three major cities in China—Chengdu, Beijing, and Shanghai. This expansion of the airline’s international network follows the addition of the Airbus A330-200, Maldivian’s first wide-body aircraft. As a result, the new routes will begin in January 2025, with the first flight to Chengdu scheduled for 22 January, followed by Beijing on 24 January, and Shanghai on 27 January.

Ismail Amrah Umar, Chief Commercial Officer of Maldivian Airlines, commented on the expansion:

“The launch of these direct flights to China represents a significant achievement in our expansion strategy. By connecting the Maldives directly with three major Chinese cities, we are not only enhancing accessibility for Chinese tourists but also strengthening the cultural and economic ties between our nations.”

The Airbus A330-200, which carries up to 260 passengers across Business, Premium Economy, and Economy classes, will operate these flights. Additionally, the aircraft offers a 10-tonne cargo capacity, which further supports the airline’s expanding operations. Consequently, the new aircraft enables Maldivian to enhance its service offerings and reach even more destinations.

Celebrating the Launch with Special Promotional Fares

To celebrate the new routes, Maldivian is offering special promotional fares. These are as follows:

  • Male’-Chengdu: USD 688 return
  • Male’-Beijing: USD 788 return
  • Male’-Shanghai: USD 777 return

These promotional fares include a 40 kg baggage allowance and are valid for travel from 22 January to 4 February 2025, depending on the destination. Therefore, passengers can take advantage of these limited-time offers to explore China’s most vibrant cities.

This expansion of Maldivian’s international network will play a crucial role in attracting more visitors to the Maldives, particularly given the long-standing popularity of the destination among Chinese travelers. Additionally, it will benefit the country’s economy, as tourism remains a key sector in the nation’s growth. Moreover, the new routes are expected to further strengthen the Maldives’ position as a leading tourist destination in the region.

With these new routes and the Airbus A330-200, Maldivian strengthens its position as a key player in the region’s aviation industry. As a result, the airline continues to offer more travel options for international passengers, ensuring seamless connections between the Maldives and major global cities.

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