The U.S. Department of Transportation has imposed a $4.1
million fine on American Airlines for tarmac delay rule violations, the largest
fine it has ever assessed in relation to the rule, DOT announced.
The fine comes after an “extensive investigation”
of 43 flights between 2018 and 2021 in which passengers had to wait on the
tarmac for lengthy periods without an opportunity to deplane, including one
instance in which passengers were not provided food or water during their wait,
according to DOT. The delays were largely in American’s hub, Dallas Fort Worth
International Airport, and 5,821 passengers were affected by the delays, the
department reported.
In the consent order related to the fine, American noted
that the flights under investigation “represent less than 0.001%” of
the flights operated over the total period and that it “provided
substantial compensation to affected passengers” in relation to the delays,
and DOT is crediting American with more than $2 million toward the fine related
to that compensation. American also said that some delays were under
“extreme circumstances,” such as a severe winter storm in the
Washington, D.C., area, and that it “has devoted significant management
attention and investment to improving its performance on tarmac delays.”
DOT introduced
the tarmac delay rule in 2010, requiring airlines at U.S. airports to give
passengers an opportunity to get off the plane after waiting on the tarmac for
three hours for domestic flights and four hours for international flights.
There are exceptions, such as reasons related to safety and security, but DOT
said they did not apply to any of the 43 flights under investigation.
