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Passengers kicked off oversold flights would get up to $650 in cash compensation for short delays and up to $1,300 for longer ones under new consumer-protection rules proposed Wednesday by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood

That's an increase from the current $400 and $800 limits on compensation for involuntarily bumped fliers. The limits could be adjusted every two years.

What's more, the higher limits mean those who volunteer to be bumped could be paid more.

The increased compensation limits are part of the most wide-ranging set of consumer-protection measures proposed by the government since deregulation 32 years ago. And they come just months after the government dealt with the thorny issue of lengthy on-ground flight delays.

In December LaHood moved to limit such delays to three hours and threatened the airlines with fines of up to $27,000 per passenger for flights kept out on airport taxiways and ramps for longer periods. That rule took effect April 29. Read Article >>

Source : http://www.usatoday.com