American Airlines fined $4.1M for numerous tarmac delays, trapping passengers.
American Airlines Fined $4.1 Million for Stranding Passengers on Planes
In a significant move, the federal government has imposed a hefty fine of $4.1 million on American Airlines for repeatedly keeping passengers on board planes during long ground delays. This penalty, announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation, marks the largest fine of its kind against an airline since the implementation of rules governing such delays a decade ago.
The airline has been instructed to pay half of the fine within the next 30 days. However, the department has credited American Airlines with just over $2 million for compensating the affected passengers. This consent order settles the case.
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The Department of Transportation’s investigation revealed that between 2018 and 2021, American Airlines subjected 5,821 passengers on 43 domestic flights to ground delays exceeding three hours without allowing them to deplane. While there are exceptions to the rules for safety and security reasons, the department found no valid justifications for the identified flights.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting the rights of airline passengers, stating, “This is the latest action in our continued drive to enforce the rights of airline passengers.”
American Airlines, in response to the consent order, acknowledged its efforts to minimize ground delays. The airline highlighted that the 43 affected flights represented less than 1 percent of the approximately 7.7 million flights operated by American and American Eagle during the specified period. It also mentioned providing substantial compensation to the affected passengers and increasing management attention to prevent future delays.
Most of the delays occurred at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, where American Airlines holds a dominant position. Additional delays took place in San Antonio and Houston when flights bound for DFW were diverted. Many of these incidents happened during thunderstorms, making it challenging for the airline to manage gate availability for passenger deplaning.
While American Airlines expressed concerns about delays during a winter storm at Reagan Washington National Airport in January 2019, it ultimately accepted the settlement outlined in the consent order.
By David Koenig
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