Federal Government, Fines American Airlines , for Long Delays.
NPR reports that the United States government will fine
American Airlines $4.1 million for long ground delays that
kept passengers on board planes without a chance to exit.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation,
it is the largest fine ever issued against an airline
since regulation on ground delays began decades ago.
NPR reports that American will have to
pay half of the fine in the next 30 days.
The federal government will give
the airline credit for the other half of
the fine, equaling just over $2 million. .
The Department of Transportation's investigation
revealed that American had kept 43 domestic flights
grounded for at least three hours between 2018 and 2021.
This is the latest action in our
continued drive to enforce
the rights of airline passengers, Pete Buttigieg, Transportation Secretary, via NPR.
NPR reports that American Airlines defended itself, saying
that those 43 flights represent just 1% of the airline's
7.7 million flights operated over the same period of time.
The airline reportedly added that
"substantial compensation" had already
been paid to delayed passengers. .
A majority of delays reportedly occurred at
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
NPR reports that many of the incidents happened during
thunderstorms or other inclement weather