
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, September 25, 1994                   TAG: 9409260044
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                 LENGTH: Short

NEW RULES FOR AIRLINES PRO-TRAVELER

Travelers will be able to get more accurate reports of airlines' on-time performance and may be eligible for more money when their baggage is lost under new Transportation Department rules announced Saturday.

In addition, the department is launching an investigation of airline-ticket marketing practices.

Almost all travel agents use one or another of four computerized ticketing systems. Those systems are owned by airlines and the department said it wants to make sure information on the system meets government requirements that it be fair to all airlines.

``This study will help us to assure that consumers can obtain complete, unbiased flight information from travel agents,'' said Transportation Secretary Federico Pena.

The new rule for on-time performance takes effect Jan. 1, requiring that airlines include delays caused by mechanical problems in their monthly reports.

- Associated Press

by CNB