WASHINGTON—The U.S. Transportation Department (USDOT) announced on Monday it is issuing a new rule to make it easier for regulators to move faster to protect airline customers from unfair and deceptive practices. The new regulation, which was reported earlier by Reuters, will simplify and speed hearing procedures the department uses when issuing protection rules to prohibit unfair or deceptive practices by airlines and ticket agents. The USDOT plans future rules on airline ticket refunds and transparency of airline baggage and other fees. It will also soon issue guidance on the definitions of “unfair” and “deceptive” for purposes of airline customer protection, the department said in a statement. Under the new rules, the department will require airlines or others seeking hearings on proposed government regulations on unfair aviation practices to move faster, make clear hearings will be granted only if in the public interest, and eliminate a requirement that hearing officers …