Airlines fined
Three US airlines, Delta, Frontier and United, have been fined a total of US$850,000 (NZ$1.165m) for violating US Transport Department airline customer protection rules.
It cost American Airlines $250,000 (NZ$342,000) for failing to make timely refunds to passengers while Delta was slugged slightly less for filing false missing baggage reports in order to prevent its baggage handling rating from slipping from fourth to fifth.
Failing to seek volunteers before bumping passengers involuntarily, failing to provide such passengers with the required written notice outlining their rights, and failure to provide proper compensation in a timely manner, cost Frontier Airlines $400,000 (NZ$548,000).
In wake of the much publicised United Airlines fiasco where a passenger was dragged from an aircraft and injured last April, legislation unveiled recently in the US Congress would make it illegal for an airline to bump an already boarded passenger from a flight.
Another measure also being considered will amend rules to require airlines to promptly refund passengers for baggage fees or other fees if they do not receive the service.
- Report by Paul Harrison.
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