What's happened
The U.S. Department of Transportation has imposed a record $50 million fine on American Airlines for mishandling wheelchairs and unsafe treatment of passengers with disabilities. This penalty follows an investigation into incidents from 2019 to 2023, including complaints from the Paralyzed Veterans of America, marking a significant shift in accountability for airlines.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Independent, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated, 'The era of tolerating poor treatment of airline passengers with disabilities is over.' This sentiment was echoed by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, whose CEO Carl Blake praised the Department of Transportation's actions as a strong statement for accountability. The New York Times highlighted specific incidents of mishandling, including passengers being dropped or injured, which contributed to the investigation. Meanwhile, Axios noted that American Airlines mishandled over 10,760 wheelchairs from 2019 to 2023, underscoring the scale of the issue. The NY Post reported that American Airlines will receive a $25 million credit for improvements, indicating a proactive approach to addressing these concerns.
How we got here
The fine stems from a series of complaints against American Airlines regarding the treatment of passengers with disabilities between 2019 and 2023. Investigations revealed unsafe physical assistance and mishandling of wheelchairs, prompting the Department of Transportation to take unprecedented action.
Common question
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More on these topics
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Peter Paul Montgomery Buttigieg is an American politician, former military officer, and combat veteran who has served as mayor of South Bend, Indiana since 2012.
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Deutsche Lufthansa AG, commonly known as Lufthansa, is the largest German airline which, when combined with its subsidiaries, is the second largest airline in Europe in terms of passengers carried.
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Budapest is the capital and the most populous city of Hungary, and the ninth-largest city in the European Union by population within city limits. The city has an estimated population of 1,752,286 over a land area of about 525 square kilometres.
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Frankfurt is a metropolis and the largest city of the German state of Hesse. Its 753,056 inhabitants make it the fifth-largest city in Germany.
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New York is a state in the Northeastern United States. New York was one of the original thirteen colonies that formed the United States. With more than 19 million residents in 2019, it is the fourth-most-populous state.
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American Airlines, Inc. is a major American airline headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, within the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. It is the world's largest airline when measured by fleet size, scheduled passengers carried, and revenue passenger mile.
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John F. Kennedy International Airport is an international airport in Queens, New York, USA, and one of the primary airports serving New York City.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.