$400,000 Sounds Like a Lot; $45,000 is More Like It

Following in the footsteps of other settlements, the DoT announced that its fine of Ryan International, for not properly accommodating People With Disabilities, will be registered as $400,000. Following the precedents already on the books, Ryanair will pay $45,000.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) announced the issuance of an order reflecting a settlement with Ryan International Airlines regarding the carrier's treatment of air travelers with disabilities.

The order finds that Ryan violated the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and federal regulations in a number of respects, such as by denying transportation to a passenger with a disability and failing to provide required wheelchair service. The order, which reflects the first ACAA enforcement settlement involving a charter airline, also assesses a civil penalty of $400,000 against the carrier.

Wheelchair-Bound Discriminated Against; Government Gets the Money. Who's Using Whom?

According to the terms of the settlement, the carrier is ordered to cease and desist from future violations of the ACAA and DoT's rules prohibiting discrimination against passengers with disabilities. Of the assessed civil penalty, the carrier may use $355,000 to improve services to persons with disabilities above what is required by DoT rules.

The DoT has previously issued enforcement consent orders against several other carriers for violations of the ACAA rules, which combined with this most-recent action are part of its ongoing effort to ensure nondiscrimination in air travel based on disability.

FMI: http://dms.dot.gov; www.flyryan.com