Italy's Air One Fined for Stranding Thousands of Passengers

Aug. 3, 2006
Air One has said it canceled more than 80 flights starting Saturday, during a peak summer weekend, while scores more were delayed, some for several hours.

Italian airliner Air One will be fined between $192,000 and $575,900 after canceling scores of flights and leaving thousands stranded, the civil aviation agency said Thursday.

Air One has committed 22 violations of European Union rules governing compensation and assistance to passengers in case of flight cancellations or delays, the agency said in a statement.

If Air One pays within 60 days, only the minimum amount of about euro150,000 will apply. Otherwise, the fine could reach a maximum of about euro450,000, the statement said.

The airliner declined to comment.

Air One has said it canceled more than 80 flights starting Saturday, during a peak summer weekend, while scores more were delayed, some for several hours. Reports said up to 9,000 passengers were left stranded across Italy, with the situation returning to normal only on Tuesday.

The airliner has blamed the problems on bad weather, delays in Greece and Spain and technical problems.

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