Says Airport Did Not Adequately Staff Snow Removal Teams In accordance With An Agreement

The FAA has fined Cleveland Hopkins International Airport nearly three-quarters of a million dollars for violating a snow removal agreement last winter.

The FAA sent four letters Monday to acting Director of Airports Fred Szabo, according to a report appearing on cleveland.com. In the letters, the FAA cited "dozens" of dates when the staffing for snow and ice removal fell short of the requirements set forth in an agreement, leaving runways and taxiways with inches of snow and ice. The airport's lack of snow and ice removal made conditions at the airport dangerous and led to multiple diversions to other airports, according to the agency.

The airport also failed to notify air carriers of hazardous conditions, the letters said.

The agency says that federal law allows it to impose fines of up to $27,000 per violation. While no actual figure was specified, the agency said it would accept $735,000 to settle the case.

The city released a statement Tuesday saying that it is reviewing the letters and preparing a response.

FMI: www.faa.gov