Buttigieg Defends New Airline Rules After CEOs Make Critical Comments

The transportation secretary replied to comments from the heads of two major carriers expressing hope for less regulatory oversight in the future.

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg speaks during a press conference after meeting with lawmakers to discuss rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on April 9, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said airline chiefs should use more energy worrying about their passengers than their regulators.

During a Nov. 21 news conference, Buttigieg—in an apparent response to Delta Air Lines Inc. CEO Ed Bastian—said he could not speculate on whether the next administration will be “less passenger friendly and more corporation friendly” than President Joe Biden’s administration.