U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) on Friday issued a consent order and fined Aerolineas Argentinas $300,000 for violating the tarmac-rule twice.
Two Aerolineas Argentinas flights in 2017 and 2018 from Buenos Aires to New York diverted to Washington Dulles due to JFK being temporarily closed because of weather. The airline didn’t allow passengers to deboard during the delays; that would have been their right, hence the fine.
Here’s the consent:
Conclusion
I am surprised that Aerolineas Argentinas tried to push back the ruling, although they were wrong both times.
Passengers in the United States have the right to deboard if the tarmac delay exceeds three hours, and Aerolineas Argentinas refused keeping passengers “hostage” against their will.
I wish that US DOT would add at least one zero to these fines making them more substantial.
