U.S. Department of Transportation has imposed a hefty fine of $4.1 million on American Airlines due to a series of incidents involving extended on-board delays that left passengers stranded without the opportunity to disembark. This penalty, announced on Monday, marks the most substantial fine ever imposed on an airline under regulations governing extended ground delays established approximately a decade ago.
Investigation reveals a pattern
The department’s investigation revealed a concerning pattern from 2018 to 2021, during which American Airlines subjected passengers on 43 domestic flights to prolonged on-ground waits lasting over three hours. In total, 5,821 passengers were affected by these incidents, as disclosed in a consent order that concluded the case. Although certain exceptions exist that allow airlines to deviate from the regulations for reasons such as safety, none of these exceptions were applicable to the flights in question.
The fine itself is structured in two parts. American Airlines is required to pay half of the total amount within the next 30 days. However, the remaining half—just over $2 million—will be credited to the airline due to compensations it provided to affected passengers. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the department’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of airline passengers and holding airlines accountable for adhering to consumer-protection laws.
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American Airlines Responds
In response to the consent order, American Airlines acknowledged its intent to minimize lengthy ground delays. The airline defended that the 43 flights cited in the investigation represented a minute fraction—less than 0.01%—of the nearly 7.7 million flights operated by both American Airlines and American Eagle during the same period. The carrier also highlighted the substantial compensations provided to passengers who experienced delays and highlighted their increased focus on preventing such incidents in the future.
Most of these delays transpired at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, where American Airlines is dominant. Additional occurrences took place at San Antonio and Houston airports when flights intended for Dallas-Fort Worth were rerouted due to unfavorable weather conditions, particularly thunderstorms. During these weather-related disruptions, the airline faced challenges in managing gate availability, preventing passengers from deplaning promptly.
Summing Up
Despite disputing some of the delays, notably those at Reagan Washington National Airport during a winter storm in January 2019, American Airlines ultimately accepted the terms outlined in the settlement. This decision underscores the department’s determination to ensure that passengers are treated fairly and are not subjected to extended periods of confinement on board during ground delays. As the airline industry continues to recover from the pandemic’s impact, this fine serves as a strong reminder that passenger well-being remains a top priority.
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