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August 31, 2010 – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has assessed a civil penalty against AirTran Airways for violating rules protecting air travelers with disabilities.
The carrier was
assessed a civil penalty of $500,000, of which up to $200,000 may be
used to improve its service to disabled passengers beyond what is
required by law.
“People with
disabilities have the right to expect fair treatment when they fly, and
we will continue to take enforcement action when their rights are
violated,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. |
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The Air
Carrier Access Act of 1986 requires airlines to provide assistance
to passengers with disabilities in boarding and deplaning aircraft,
including the use of wheelchairs, ramps, mechanical lifts or service
personnel where needed.
U.S. Department of
Transportation rules also require carriers to respond within 30 days to
written complaints about their treatment of disabled passengers, and to
specifically address the issues raised in the complaint.
An investigation
by the Department of Transportation’s Aviation Enforcement Office of
disability complaints filed with AirTran and DOT revealed a number of
violations of the requirement for boarding assistance.
Of the $500,000
penalty, up to $60,000 may be used to establish a council to help the
carrier comply with federal disability rules and hire a manager for
disability accommodations. |
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