Viajes India
25th November 2009
DOT fines airlines for six-hour tarmac delay
Continental, express jet slapped with $100,000 penalty for august incident
The Department of Transportation issued a fine against Continental Airlines and Express Jet Airlines for stranding passengers in Rochester, Minn., for nearly six hours last August. It is the DOT's first-ever fine for an airport stranding.
The agency “levied a total civil penalty of $100,000” against the carriers for their roles in the Aug. 8 incident, according to a press release. DOT also penalized Mesaba Airlines $75,000 for the way it handled ground operations.
An investigation by the Aviation Enforcement Office found the three carriers violated laws that prohibit unfair and deceptive practices in air transportation, DOT's statement said.
I hope that this sends a signal to the rest of the airline industry that we expect airlines to respect the rights of air travelers,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We will also use what we have learned from this investigation to strengthen protections for airline passengers subjected to long tarmac delays.”
“This is a clear wake-up call for the industry,” said George Hobica, creator of Airfarewatchdog “The fine is big enough to send a message, but airlines alone cannot be held responsible for tarmac delays. Airports must develop plans to accommodate passengers stranded on tarmacs, and that includes planes that are rerouted, as was the case in this mishap.”
Hobica said airports need to work with security and airport employees, provide transportation options to get travelers into the terminal and designate emergency gates where passengers can deplane.
“Passengers cannot simply jump out the plane's emergency slides and walk to an empty terminal,” he said. “So in some respects, the DOT's action in this case, although well-intentioned, seems a bit unfair. The airline industry is already overtaxed, both literally and figuratively, and this will only add more financial burdens.”
The agency “levied a total civil penalty of $100,000” against the carriers for their roles in the Aug. 8 incident, according to a press release. DOT also penalized Mesaba Airlines $75,000 for the way it handled ground operations.
An investigation by the Aviation Enforcement Office found the three carriers violated laws that prohibit unfair and deceptive practices in air transportation, DOT's statement said.
I hope that this sends a signal to the rest of the airline industry that we expect airlines to respect the rights of air travelers,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We will also use what we have learned from this investigation to strengthen protections for airline passengers subjected to long tarmac delays.”
“This is a clear wake-up call for the industry,” said George Hobica, creator of Airfarewatchdog “The fine is big enough to send a message, but airlines alone cannot be held responsible for tarmac delays. Airports must develop plans to accommodate passengers stranded on tarmacs, and that includes planes that are rerouted, as was the case in this mishap.”
Hobica said airports need to work with security and airport employees, provide transportation options to get travelers into the terminal and designate emergency gates where passengers can deplane.
“Passengers cannot simply jump out the plane's emergency slides and walk to an empty terminal,” he said. “So in some respects, the DOT's action in this case, although well-intentioned, seems a bit unfair. The airline industry is already overtaxed, both literally and figuratively, and this will only add more financial burdens.”
" Travel Weekly "
