Tue, Aug 31, 2010
U.S. DOT Assesses $500,000 Civil Penalty
The U.S. DOT assessed a civil penalty against AirTran Airways
Friday for violating rules protecting air travelers with
disabilities. The carrier was assessed a civil penalty of $500,000,
of which up to $200,000 may be used to improve its service to
disabled passengers beyond what is required by law.
"People with disabilities have the right to expect fair
treatment when they fly, and we will continue to take enforcement
action when their rights are violated," said U.S. Transportation
Secretary Ray LaHood.
The Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 requires airlines to provide
assistance to passengers with disabilities in boarding and
deplaning aircraft, including the use of wheelchairs, ramps,
mechanical lifts or service personnel where needed. U.S. Department
of Transportation rules also require carriers to respond within 30
days to written complaints about their treatment of disabled
passengers, and to specifically address the issues raised in the
complaint. In addition, airlines must submit annual reports to the
Department on disability-related complaints from passengers, noting
the type of disability and nature of the complaint.
An investigation by the Department of Transportation's Aviation
Enforcement Office of disability complaints filed with AirTran and
DOT revealed a number of violations of the requirement for boarding
assistance. In addition, the carrier's complaint files showed
that it frequently did not provide an adequate written response to
complaints from passengers. AirTran also failed to properly
categorize disability complaints in reports filed with the
Department, the Aviation Enforcement Office found.
Of the $500,000 penalty, up to $60,000 may be used to establish
a council to help the carrier comply with federal disability rules
and hire a manager for disability accommodations. Up to $140,000
may be used to develop and employ an automated wheelchair tracking
system at AirTran's major hub airports within one year that will
generate real-time reports of the carrier's wheelchair assistance
performance.
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