Airlines for America, along with five U.S. airlines, are petitioning an appellate court to annul wheelchair handling regulations established towards the end of 2024.

The airlines contend that the recently implemented federal regulation, titled ‘Ensuring Safe Accommodations for Air Travelers with Disabilities Using Wheelchairs,’ is unlawful. This rule requires airlines to provide assistance that respects passengers’ independence and privacy, as well as ensuring new rights for mishandled or damaged mobility devices.

Airlines Argue Against DOT’s Authority

The current wheelchair handling rules, effective from December 16, 2024, were established as one of the concluding activities of the Biden administration, with Pete Buttigieg at the helm of the Transportation Department.

The airlines’ brief states that the rule exceeds the Department of Transportation’s statutory authority and violates the Administrative Procedure Act. They maintain that the rulemaking process was not conducted in accordance with required legal procedures.

This challenge marks the airlines’ second attempt to reverse recent regulatory changes established during the previous administration.