April 23--Two major trade groups representing U.S. airlines have asked the Department of Transportation for a temporary reprieve from huge fines for passenger delays just days after federal budget cuts reduced the nation's air traffic controller staffing.
U.S. airlines are subject to a fine if they keep boarded passengers on the ground for more than three hours without an opportunity to get off the plane. For international airlines, that threshold is four hours. Airlines face fines of $27,500 per passenger -- racking up several millions of dollars on an average aircraft -- for those delays.
Such delays have been subject to a fine since 2010 and have dramatically curbed the number long waits for passengers, though enforcement of the monetary penalties has been rare.
But Sunday, federal budget cuts led to a furlough of air traffic controllers and closure of some towers, which is expected to have a dramatic effect on U.S. flight operations. The cuts have already delayed some passengers from coast to coast.
Airlines for America and Regional Airline Association are asking the Transportation Department to waive the fines for at least 90 days. Granting this exemption, they said, will give airlines time to address delays caused by the cuts.
Airlines collectively have requested exemptions from the delay rule in the past as well, including when New York's John F. Kennedy airport was undergoing runway construction expected to cause traffic backups.
A4A said they filed the motion Friday and it was posted on the DOT's public docket Sunday. The issue was first reported Tuesday by USA Today.
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