The Department of Transportation (DOT) $50 million On Wednesday, American Airlines was fined for mistreating passengers with disabilities. The agency alleges that the company provided inadequate physical assistance to customers and their wheelchairs, resulting in reported injuries from 2019 to 2023.
“The days of accepting poor treatment of air passengers with disabilities are over,” U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.
The DOT investigated various complaints from paralyzed veterans organizations and individuals in the United States, as well as cases captured in the United States. video Records of workers mishandling passenger wheelchairs.
“By setting penalties at a level that goes beyond just the cost of doing business for airlines, we aim to change industry behavior and prevent this type of fraud from happening in the first place,” Buttigieg told reporters. ” he said.
Despite the agreement, American Airlines denies claims of legal wrongdoing.
“American Airlines is entering into this agreement solely for settlement purposes, does not admit to violation of any law or regulation, waives any statute of limitations, and acknowledges the Department's statements of applicable law and recitation of facts and conclusions. “No,” the company wrote. in response to consent order.
The company said it spent $175 million this year alone on services, infrastructure, training and new technology to support passengers who use mobility devices while traveling.
Under the penalty provisions, the airline must pay a $25 million fine to the U.S. Treasury.
The company is also deploying equipment to reduce wheelchair injury incidents, a system-wide wheelchair tagging system to reduce delays, and a hub control center for employees to coordinate wheelchair handling at large airports. , and will invest $25 million to compensate affected passengers during this period. They are the subject of a DOT investigation, according to a DOT release.
If these disbursements are not made, an additional $25 million will be paid to the U.S. Treasury in penalties.
DOT is committed to providing appropriate accommodations for airline passengers with disabilities. Last year, the agency enacted the following rules: final rule law Established parameters for improving lavatory accessibility on single-aisle aircraft and published them in 2022. Disability Bill of Rights Outline your customer rights.
