Washington (CNN) -- Spirit Airlines says a new federal regulation aimed at protecting consumers is forcing it to charge passengers an additional $2 for a ticket.

The fee, which Spirit calls the "Department of Transportation Unintended Consequences Fee," has been added to each ticket effective immediately, according to Misty Pinson, a Spirit spokeswoman.

The new DOT regulation allows passengers to change flights within 24 hours of booking without paying a penalty. The airline says the regulation forces them to hold the seat for someone who may or may not want to fly. As a consequence, someone who really does want to fly wouldn't be able to buy that seat because the airline is holding it for someone who might or might not end up taking it.

"Spirit believes that consumers have a right to know that this misguided regulation is expensive and is hitting consumers directly in their pocket books" according to a statement released on the company's website.

But the nation's transportation chief disagrees.

"This is just another example of the disrespect with which too many airlines treat their passengers," Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in an e-mailed statement. "Rather than coming up with new and unnecessary fees to charge their customers, airlines should focus on providing fair and transparent service -- that's what our common sense rules are designed to ensure."

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I can't BELIEVE this isn't RyanAir.