By David Koenig, Associated Press | | In 2019, the last full year before the pandemic, passengers paid U.S. airlines $5.76 billion in fees for checked bags, according to the Transportation Department. Photo Credit: Vietnam Stock Images/Shutterstock The Transportation Department will propose that airlines be required to refund fees on checked baggage if the bags aren't delivered to passengers quickly enough. The proposal, if made final after a lengthy regulation-writing process, would also require prompt refunds for fees on extras such as internet access if the airline fails to provide the service during the flight. A department official said the proposal would be issued in the coming days and could take effect by next summer.