Passengers were reportedly stuck on the tarmac for hours at Nashville International Airport, with one woman stating that her flight landed seven and a half hours before she was able to deplane due to a lack of available gates. The U.S. Department of Transportation prohibits airplanes from sitting on the tarmac for more than three hours, except in cases of safety concerns or airport operation disruptions. American Airlines confirmed that two flights were affected and have since deplaned, while the airport directed inquiries to the airline.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has fined American Airlines $4.1 million for numerous instances of keeping passengers on board planes during long ground delays without the opportunity to deplane. This is the largest fine of its kind since rules regarding tarmac delays were implemented. American Airlines owes half the fine immediately, while the other half is credited for compensation paid to affected passengers. The investigation revealed that 43 domestic flights were stuck on the ground for at least three hours, affecting a total of 5,821 passengers. The airline stated that it seeks to avoid such delays and has provided substantial compensation to affected passengers. Most delays occurred at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, with others in San Antonio and Houston.
The Department of Transportation has issued a $4.1 million fine to American Airlines, the largest-ever penalty for tarmac delays, affecting over 5,800 passengers on 43 flights between 2018 and 2021. The longest delay lasted over six hours, with the DOT alleging that American lacked sufficient resources to handle the flights. Federal rules allow a maximum of three hours for domestic flights and four hours for international flights without the opportunity for passengers to disembark. American Airlines claims the delays were due to exceptional weather events and has invested in technology to improve flight handling in severe weather. The airline will pay $2.05 million to the government and has credited the other half as passenger compensation.
American Airlines has been fined a record-breaking $4.1 million by the U.S. Department of Transportation for unlawfully keeping passengers on planes during tarmac delays lasting three hours or more. Between 2018 and 2021, 43 domestic flights violated the rule, affecting approximately 5,800 passengers. The airline did not provide food or water during the delays, and passengers are owed over $2.5 billion in refunds. American Airlines has apologized to affected customers and stated that the delays were due to exceptional weather events.
American Airlines has been fined $4.1 million by the U.S. Department of Transportation for keeping passengers on board planes during long tarmac delays without allowing them to deplane. The investigation found that 43 domestic flights were stuck on the ground for at least three hours without valid reasons. American Airlines stated that these incidents represented a small fraction of their total flights and that they have taken steps to avoid delays. Most of the delays occurred at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport during thunderstorms.
The United States Transportation Department (USDOT) has fined American Airlines $4.1 million, the largest-ever penalty for violating the tarmac delay rule. An investigation found that between 2018 and 2021, American Airlines allowed 43 domestic flights to remain on the tarmac for extended periods without giving passengers the opportunity to deplane. One flight even failed to provide food and water. The tarmac delays affected a total of 5,821 passengers. American Airlines claimed that these delays were due to exceptional weather events and represented less than 0.001% of their total flights. The airline has apologized to affected customers and stated that it has made efforts to improve its performance on tarmac delays.
