American Airlines has been fined hefty$ 50 million by the US government for failing to properly support people with disabilities and for handling thousands of wheelchairs improperly over the past five years. The Department of Transportation ( DOT ) conducted the investigation, which revealed a disturbing pattern of neglect, including instances where wheelchair users were hurt. Though the exact number of injuries remains unknown, the DOT’s results shine a terrible light on the airline’s care of disabled passengers.
The analysis, which covered happenings between 2019 and 2023, was spurred by official complaints from Paralyzed Veterans of America and stunning game data. Employees were seen negligently sliding a chair down a baggage ramp in a video that was widely seen from the Miami International Airport, causing it to roll over and skid across the concrete. It was a striking instance of the mistake that has plagued American’s management of chairs.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg made no meat claims, claiming that American Airlines had come out as one of the worst offenders in the way of treating chair people. However, Buttigieg emphasized that this issue is n’t confined to American alone. He claimed that the time has come tolerating bad treatment of wheelchair users on jets. He also pointed out that other airlines are also being looked into for similar infractions.
The DOT’s numbers are telling: more than 10, 760 chairs and mobility scooter were mishandled by American Airlines in the four-year course, trailing just behind Southwest Airlines, which had over 11, 100 situations. Despite its smaller size, Spirit Airlines had the highest percentage of improper wheelchairs in its history over the course of a number of years.
American Airlines has cited its efforts to improve in response to the fine. The airline has invested over$ 175 million this year alone in infrastructure, training, and initiatives aimed at enhancing the travel experience for passengers with disabilities. The airline claims that it has already reduced the number of wheelchairs and scooters that get handled improperly by over 20 %, noting that fewer than one in every 1,000 customers who request wheelchair assistance end up submitting complaints.
While American has made efforts to right its wrongs, including compensating affected passengers, half of its civil penalty —$ 25 million —will be credited for these investments and payments. But for many advocates, this is n’t enough.
Federal laws require airport assistance, prompt transportation of wheelchairs and scooters back to passengers who are injured after flights, and transportation assistance. While airlines are required to pay for wheelchair repairs or replacements, these delays frequently leave passengers without mobility for weeks, a service gap that has long frustrated disabled travelers.
The DOT has levied the largest fine against American ever, surpassing the previous highest of$ 2 million against United Airlines in 2016. The decision indicates a wider shift in how the United States government treats passengers with disabilities in air travel as more airlines are brought under scrutiny.
The hope is that this unprecedented punishment, like those affected by this case, will set the stage for much-needed industry reform. The airlines will no longer tolerate substandard treatment of wheelchair users, according to Buttigieg.
Trending
- Harris’s Hometown Paper Won’t Endorse Her for President
- No, Kamala Isn’t Losing Because of Sexism
- First AI death? Character.ai faces lawsuit after Florida teen’s suicide. He was speaking to Daenerys Targaryen
- WI Elections Regulator Faces Records Lawsuit On Same-Day Voter Registration Guidance
- Blinken and Netanyahu agree Sinwar’s death opens options
- FBI probes leak of secret documents on Israel attack plans
- Hundreds of ballot drop boxes, voting centers open across Colorado: ‘The most we have ever had in any election’
- Parents sue elite private school in California for expelling fifth-grader over squirt-gun emoji, rap lyrics
American Airlines fined $50 million for mishandling wheelchairs, injuring passengers
File image
Keep Reading
Sign up for the Conservative Insider Newsletter.
Get the latest conservative news from alancmoore.com
© 2024 alancmoore.com