Consumer complaints to Transportation Department about airlines have skyrocketed during coronavirus pandemic

Amid an avalanche of complaints about airlines refusing to refund tickets for trips canceled because of the novel coronavirus, the U.S. Department of Transportation on Tuesday issued a notice to make travelers aware of their rights and remind carriers of their obligations under consumer protection laws.

Travelers, who typically file about 1,500 complaints a month with the Transportation Department, filed more than more than 25,000 in March and April, officials said. Many of those complaints were from people angry that airlines had denied them ticket refunds.