The U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Wednesday a $50 million fine against American Airlines for mistreatment of passengers with disabilities. The department claimed that the airline had provided unsafe physical assistance to passengers, resulting in injuries, and damaged thousands of wheelchairs.
American Airlines said it has reached a settlement with the department and has been making efforts to improve services for passengers with disabilities. They highlighted a decrease in mishandled wheelchair and scooter rates and an investment of over $175 million in services, infrastructure, training, and technology to improve service.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated that there are investigations into other airlines for similar violations, but American Airlines seems to be one of the worst offenders. The Department of Transportation found that American Airlines had the second-highest mishandling rate and number of reported mishandlings each year between 2019 and 2023.
American Airlines reported transporting more than 146,000 wheelchairs and mobility devices in 2023. The airline had the third-largest domestic market share between August 2023 and July 2024, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. They also operated nearly 2 million flights in 2023.
The $50 million fine against American Airlines is significantly larger than any previous fines for disability-related violations by the Department of Transportation. The airline has stated its commitment to serving passengers with disabilities and improving its performance in this area.
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