New law in Mexico protects passengers from flight delays and cancellations

You´ve probably experienced the frequency with which airlines tend to delay or even cancel flights, a situation that definitely becomes frustrating and annoying. But, we have good news for you! The Mexico government issued this June 27^th, 2017 a new law with changes to compensation requirements that benefit passengers when there is inconvenience due to flight delays and cancellations.

The new statue was published this June 26^th, 2017 in the Official Journal of Federation (Diario Oficial de la Federación). That is why we´ve enlisted the regulations that compensate passengers from inconvenience:

1. The law also states that airlines should inform you about the reasons for flight delays and cancellations at least 24 hours before your departure; otherwise, the airline must compensate you according to the new law regulations.

2. When flights are delayed through the fault of an airline, the provider must compensate the passenger as follows:

* Airline delays of at least one hour, but not more than four hours, will require compensating passengers with food and beverage as well as a discount on a future flight. For delays between two and four hours, airlines must provide a discount of 7.5 percent of the original ticket price.

* If the delay is more than four hours or cancelled and the airline must reimburse the full airfare and give customers compensation of no less than 25% of the original ticket price, or provide substitute transportation on its first available flight. If a passenger has to wait overnight for that flight the airline will have to provide passengers with access to meals, lodging and ground transportation to and from the airport.

3. It also established that for national and international flights originating in Mexico, airlines must not charge for the first checked bag up to 55 pounds (25 kilograms) on aircrafts with a capacity for 20 passengers or more, and 33 pounds (15 kilograms) on aircrafts with a lower capacity.

4. In addition to this, you may take with you two carry-ons up to 22 pounds (10 kilograms), every piece with dimensions that must not exceed 21 x 15 x 10 pounds (55 x 40 x 25 centimeters)

5. Infants under the age of two may travel free, but they must be accompanied by a paying adult. The infants are not provided with a seat nor baggage allowance.

In order to follow the law, airlines were given 90 days by the Office of the Attorney General to adopt the new regulations.

Now, that you are aware of the new law regulations that protect you from these inconveniences, a flight delay or cancellation you may experience will be less annoying.