Delta hit with $2M DOT fine



Orlando Business Journal


Date: Thursday, February 17, 2011, 1:09pm EST


The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has fined Delta Air Lines Inc. $2 million for “violating rules protecting air travelers with disabilities.”
DOT said the penalty is the largest penalty it ever assessed against airline in a non-safety-related case.


A DOT investigation by the Department of Transportation’s Aviation Enforcement Office of disability complaints filed with Atlanta-based Delta (NYSE: DAL) and DOT revealed violations of the requirement to provide assistance getting on and off the airplane. The carrier’s complaint files also showed that it frequently did not provide an adequate written response to disability complaints from passengers, DOT said. It also found Delta failed to properly report each disability complaint in reports filed with the DOT.


Of the of $2 million penalty, $750,000 must be paid by the carrier and up to $1,250,000 may be used to improve its service to passengers with disabilities beyond what is required by law.

"We take the responsibility of serving customers with disabilities seriously and have made significant investments in technology, feedback assessment, and training since the issues in 2007 and 2008 that the DOT cites in its consent order," Delta said in a statement. "We will continue to coordinate with DOT and our Customer Advisory Board on Disabilities to ensure that these efforts are appropriately supporting customers with disabilities and providing them with a consistent travel experience."


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