Here’s a review of the existing passenger rules:
https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer
Air Carriers most have their schedule approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) each year and can have the schedule adjusted but it can take 6 months. If the D.O.T. does not approve the schedule change the Air Carrier must continue until the next approved schedule.
There’s a lot of rules being cherry-picked by the many levels of government that are enforced or NOT enforced that are creating these delays. The Air Carriers are at the mercy of the rules and can be fined or suspended if fail to follow the ones that they are told to follow. ‘Regulation Du Jour’.
Learn More Here:
https://www.transportation.gov/policy/aviation-policy