Airlines could pay big when bags are lost

ALBANY, N.Y. — U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer of New York says that if airlines don’t start reimbursing their rising fees when passengers’ bags are lost, he’ll introduce a bill to force the issue.

The Democrat says that under a new rule airlines would only have to reimburse their baggage fees if the luggage is lost forever. That rule is scheduled to take effect in August.

The fees range from $25 to $100.

Schumer tells The Associated Press that airlines should voluntarily refund the fees upon request to passengers when their checked bags don’t arrive when they do.

He says only a small fraction of lost bags are never returned. Most show up days later.

But if airlines don’t make the move, he says, he’ll introduce a bill to require the refunds.