The US govt link-->
https://www.transportation.gov/brie...inal-rule-requiring-automatic-refunds-airline
As opposed to a bloggers opinion
The rules seem not to have EU extraordinary exceptions. Say with a massive storm or similar the airlines would still need to pay out. Airfares could rise the cover that. But cancelling-refund after 3hr could be a windfall for the airlines. After a storm(3hr) airlines refund all tickets, as required. How the refund would work on multi segment ticket is unknown. The airlines could then raise fares 100% 200% 500% in the recovery, instead putting them on the next available flight, with no extra cost from the passenger.
The proposed rules are very USA domestic airline/flight centric. No consideration of how the international air travel market operates. And that many 1000's of people travelling by air in USA do not directly pay a USA airline
.