MONDAY FEB 10, 2025
×
Search AeroXplorer
American Airlines Fined $4.1 million in Breach of USDOT Rules

American Airlines Fined $4.1 million in Breach of USDOT Rules

BY GABRIEL KRAMP Published on September 12, 2023 0 COMMENTS

Major US-based carrier American Airlines has been fined 4.1 million US Dollars by the United States Department of Transportation.

 

The reason: passengers being kept on aircraft on the tarmac longer than the legal limit. This breach of rules occurred between 2018 and 2021, but it took until recently for the investigation to come through and punishment to ensue.

 



ADVERTISEMENT • REMOVE ALL ADS

 

In total, American Airlines (AA) broke the rules on 43 flights, affecting nearly 6,000 passengers during the 3-year period.

 

Furthermore, the safety and security exceptions applied to none of the flights, and most of the offending flights either departed from or arrived at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in northern Texas.

 

DFW is American's largest hub and is where the airline is headquartered.

 



ADVERTISEMENT • REMOVE ALL ADS

 

As quoted from the USDOT (Department of Transportation):

 

DOT regulations require airlines to allow passengers to disembark the plane if they choose after three hours of ground delays for domestic flights or four hours for international flights, though some exceptions for safety and security are allowed under the policy. 

 

Photo: Edwin Sims | AeroXplorer

 

The airline has agreed to pay the fine despite some skepticism and has apologized to those whose flights were involved, sending out a statement to all affected passengers.
 

The DOT noted that this is the single largest fine ever given to an airline for the Tarmac Delay rule.

This comes at a time when the DOT increasingly is focused on providing passengers with appropriate compensation for disruptions to travel, as well as unintentional delays due to Air Traffic Control, Weather, and staffing shortages.

 



ADVERTISEMENT • REMOVE ALL ADS

 

AeroXplorer has reached out to American Airlines and is awaiting a statement on the matter.

 AeroXplorer is on Telegram! Subscribe to the AeroXplorer Telegram Channel to receive aviation news updates as soon as they are released. View Channel 
Gabriel Kramp
Student at the University at Albany, but grew up in rural Massachusetts. Dream job of aircraft dispatcher for Delta (favorite airline).

Comments (0)

Add Your Comment

SHARE




TAGS

NEWS American Airlines DOT Fines Dallas DFW Delays Cancellations

RECENTLY PUBLISHED

Seattle Plane Strike 2025: Japan Airlines and Delta Collision Raises Safety Concerns Seattle-Tacoma International Airport saw a concerning incident on Wednesday morning when a Japan Airlines (JAL) plane clipped a parked Delta Air Lines jet while taxiing. Thankfully, no one was injured, but passengers described the collision as a frightening experience. NEWS READ MORE »
Ethiopian Airlines Expands Cargo Fleet with New Boeing 777 Freighter Ethiopian Airlines has expanded its cargo fleet with a brand-new Boeing 777 Freighter, registered as ET-BAB (MSN 68140). The aircraft was delivered directly from Boeing’s factory in Everett, Washington, USA, and landed at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport at 3:41 PM (GMT+3) on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. NEWS READ MORE »
Jeju Air To Cut 1000 Flights By March In the aftermath of the recent tragedy in Korea, Jeju Air announced that they would cut many flights by March. This includes all flights to and from Muan International Airport, where the accident occurred, as the airline will pull all their operations from the airport. NEWS READ MORE »


SHOP

$2999
NEW!AeroXplorer Aviation Sweater Use code AVGEEK for 10% off! BUY NOW

FOLLOW US ONLINE