Brazil forces delayed airlines to pay out

Nelson Jobim, Brazil’s Minister of Defense announced on Wednesday that any airline operating within the country will be forced to compensate passengers for any delays that they suffer.

The country is working on legislation which may be approved by as early as Christmas this year. Although the legislation will benefit passengers who have been affected by delays and cancellations, it may have the unwanted effect of increasing ticket prices dramatically.

Delays have become almost a systematic problem in Brazil and Jobim hopes that the new laws will help motivate airlines to perform better.

According to him, airlines with delays exceeding 30 minutes or who cancel flights will have only 30 days to deposit the indemnity money into the bank accounts of passengers on the flight.

Airlines will only have to pay compensation in the event that it is proven the airline is responsible for the delay. Weather delays and problems with the air control systems will not incur penalties.

The government will be setting up a customer complaint call center when the legislation is finalized.