OAN Staff James Myers
9:29am – Friday, January 3, 2025
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced it would fine JetBlue $2 million for “chronically delayed multiple flight operations,” making it the first fine ever imposed by a federal agency.
advertisement
The agency announced Friday that it was the first time it had fined an airline for chronic delays on a particular route, citing “unrealistic schedules” by the airline.
“Illegal and chronic flight delays make planes less reliable for travelers. Today's action demonstrates that the entire airline industry expects airline flight schedules to reflect reality. “We recognize that,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Airlines are prohibited from providing unrealistic schedules that do not reflect actual flight departure and arrival times. However, a Department of Transportation investigation found that JetBlue operated four chronically delayed flights at least 145 times between June 2022 and November 2023, the Department of Transportation said. .
Additionally, each flight was delayed for more than five consecutive months. Despite the department warning JetBlue that the departure and arrival times for its flights between John F. The flight continued to operate with repeated delays. Orlando, Florida, JFK. and between Fort Lauderdale and Windsor Locks, Conn., authorities said.
In addition, the ministry announced that a total of 395 delays and cancellations occurred among these four chronically delayed flights.
The agency continues to investigate other airlines for unrealistic flight schedules that do not reflect actual departure and arrival times.
According to the agency, a flight is considered chronically delayed if it operates at least 10 flights a month and has a 50% or more chance of arriving for more than 30 minutes, including cancellations.
The agency also found that more than 70% of chronically delayed flights are caused by airlines.
As a result, the airline will have to pay half of the penalty in cash to the U.S. Treasury, and the remaining $1 million will be lost to airlines affected by flight delays and disruptions caused by JetBlue over the next year. The proceeds will be used to compensate JetBlue passengers. Future compensation must be a minimum of $75 per affected passenger.
“Illegal and chronic flight delays make planes less reliable for travelers. Today's action recognizes that the entire airline industry expects airline flight schedules to reflect reality. “U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “In order to protect healthy competition in civil aviation and ensure that passengers are treated fairly, the Department will require legislation against airlines that engage in chronic delays and other unrealistic scheduling practices. is scheduled to be implemented.”
JetBlue also said it has invested tens of millions of dollars in the past two years to reduce flight delays, which it claims will lead to improvements in 2024 and beyond.
“While we have reached a settlement to resolve this issue for four flights in 2022 and 2023, we believe that accountability for reliable air travel rests equally with the U.S. government, which operates our nation's air traffic control system. ” said the spokesperson.
Stay informed. Receive breaking news directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
Advertisement below
Please share this post!
