U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced Dana Nessel, Michigan attorney general, will be the new state representative and chair of the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee.
Nessel, who prioritizes protecting consumers and defending civil rights, succeeds Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey as state representative and chair, according to a May 26 DOT news release.
"Protecting consumers is one of my top priorities as Michigan's attorney general and I look forward to bringing my knowledge to the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee," Nessel said in the new release. "Whether residents choose air travel to conduct business, take a vacation, visit loved ones in another state or any other reason, they should be satisfied with their experience and receive service and products that meet with their expectations. I am eager to work with the other committee members to ensure the protection of American consumers, and I am thankful to Secretary Buttigieg for asking me to serve."
The committee's job is to evaluate existing aviation consumer protection programs and provide the DOT secretary with recommendations to strengthening those programs. DOT also plans to announce appointments to an anti-discrimination subcommittee to ensure airline employees are trained in civil rights and can serve airline customers without discrimination, according to the news release.
Nessel was considered a good fit for the position due to formerly being a civil rights lawyer and criminal prosecutor, as the release reported. As Michigan's attorney general, she worked to ensure companies weren't taking advantage of residents, so her experience will ensure she does a good job protecting airline customers' civil rights as well as prevent them from being taken advantage of by the airlines.
