American-Based Airline Fined $50 Million

The U.S. government fined American Airlines $50 million after an investigation concluded the airline failed to provide wheelchair assistance to passengers with disabilities and damaged thousands of wheelchairs over five years.

The Department of Transportation said the carrier committed numerous infractions, including providing “unsafe physical assistance” to passengers.

According to CBS News, the Transportation Department accused American Airlines of “mishandling or damaging thousands of passengers’ wheelchairs from 2019 to 2023, leaving them without their mobility devices.”

New: The U.S. government has fined American Airlines $50 million for failing to provide wheelchair assistance to passengers with disabilities and damaging thousands of wheelchairs over a five-year period.

Via: The Washington Times pic.twitter.com/FGLSGunheI

— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) October 23, 2024

“The era of tolerating mistreatment of airline passengers with disabilities is over. Today, our department is announcing a $50 million penalty against American Airlines for numerous serious violations of the rights of wheelchair users,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.

The era of tolerating mistreatment of airline passengers with disabilities is over.

Today, our department is announcing a $50 million penalty against American Airlines for numerous serious violations of the rights of wheelchair users. https://t.co/owILXd7aYf

— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) October 23, 2024

Per CBS News:

Although incidents of airlines mistreating customers with disabilities are not unique to American, Transportation Department regulators determined that the carrier was “one of the worse performers among U.S. airlines in terms of both the total number of wheelchairs- and scooters- mishandling claims and the rate of mishandling claims,” according to the announcement.

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“The problems that we have uncovered in our investigation are not confined to one airline,” Buttigieg said in a call with reporters. “We have other active investigations into a number of U.S. airlines for similar violations.”

“We believe today’s action sends a clear message to the airline industry that they need to improve their operations and their compliance with the law to ensure that all passengers fly with the dignity, respect and safety that they both deserve and are entitled to,” he added.

Today, our department is holding American Airlines accountable with a $50 million fine for repeatedly violating the rights of wheelchair users.

Everyone has the right to travel with dignity and respect. pic.twitter.com/nfNWA1G5Hh

— U.S. Department of Transportation (@USDOT) October 23, 2024

“This morning, the federal government is fining American Airlines $50 million for mishandling *thousands* of wheelchairs, including this case posted on TikTok last year,” CNN correspondent Pete Muntean said.

WATCH:

This morning, the federal government is fining American Airlines $50 million for mishandling *thousands* of wheelchairs, including this case posted on TikTok last year. pic.twitter.com/csLkR9SFwS

— Pete Muntean (@petemuntean) October 23, 2024

CNN reports:

In announcing the fine, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told reporters that American mishandled and damaged “thousands” of wheelchairs and failed to provide adequate assistance to disabled passengers, causing significant safety issues and an inconvenience for customers.

“One traveler with a disability told us in her words, ‘I was made to feel like a piece of luggage, so I do not fly anymore,’” Buttigieg said. “The bottom line is that the era of tolerating the poor treatment of wheelchair users on airplanes is over.”

The issue was highlighted in a November 2023 TikTok post that showed American Airlines baggage handlers sliding a wheelchair down a chute attached to an airport jetway.

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This is a Guest Post from our friends over at 100 Percent Fed Up.

View the original article here.