Thousands of disabled passengers were impacted by the damages.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) fined American Airlines a record $50 million for mishandling and damaging thousands of wheelchairs between 2019 and 2023.
An investigation began after the Paralyzed Veterans of America filed three complaints against the airline with the Transportation Department. After completing its investigation, the department found that American Airlines had mishandled more than 10,760 wheelchairs during this five-year period, which violates federal laws protecting travelers with disabilities.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said American Airlines “appeared to be one of the worst offenders,” but the problems that investigators found “are not confined to one airline.” Secretary Buttigieg did not name the companies in his speech, but the department’s report documented high rates of wheelchair mishandling within Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines. The transportation secretary did confirm that his department is conducting additional investigations.
“The era of tolerating poor treatment of wheelchair users on airplanes is over,” Secretary Buttigieg declared, calling the documented mistreatment “not just undignified but unsafe.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Buttigieg to be discerning as he heads the Department of Transportation.
- For U.S. transportation officials as they seek to ensure airlines follow the laws and regulations that protect disabled passengers.
Sources: The Hill, NY Times
