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US fines American Airlines record $50 million over treatment of disabled passengers

The U.S. Transport Department on Wednesday stated it was fining American Airlines a record $ 50 million for its treatment of disabled travelers, including stopping working to offer some with sufficient support and mishandling wheelchairs.

The fine is 25 times larger than the previous highest airline company charge for impairment defense infractions, setting a. brand-new precedent for future enforcement, the department said.

The era of enduring poor treatment of airline company passengers. with impairments is over, stated Transport Secretary Pete. Buttigieg. By setting charges at levels beyond a simple expense of. doing service for airline companies, we're intending to alter how the. industry behaves.

Under the regards to a settlement, American will pay $25. million over 3 years and was credited with $25 million for. financial investments to address the concerns and goodwill payment to. impacted passengers.

Today's agreement declares American's commitment to taking. care of all of our consumers, American Airlines senior vice. president Julie Rath said.

The Transport Department said it exposed cases of. risky physical assistance that at times led to injuries. and undignified treatment of wheelchair users, in addition to. duplicated failures to supply timely wheelchair assistance.

American had likewise mishandled countless wheelchairs by. harming them or postponing their return, making it among the. worst entertainers on that front amongst U.S. providers, the. department said.

The department has active examinations into similar. offenses at other U.S. airlines but decreased to determine them.

American, which did not admit liability in reaching the. settlement, stated this year it is investing more than $175 million. on services, facilities, training, and new technology to. assistance travelers who utilize movement devices when taking a trip.

The airline included it has enhanced its wheelchair and scooter. handling rate more than 20% considering that 2022 and noted it got 7.9. million advance requests for wheelchair support last year.

(source: Reuters)