New York- American Airlines have joined the group of carriers who are protesting government’s new strategy according to which passengers cannot be held on the tarmac for an unlimited time. It has also filed a complaint to the Department of Transportation which states that it will cost the company millions in fine due to the delays caused by the closure of JFK main runway. Along with American Airlines, JetBlue and Delta have also filed for exemptions.
Government’s this rule will be in effect from the next month of April. This rule may create a fine worth of $4 million for an average Boeing 737. If a plane is on hold on the tarmac for more than 3 hours, then the fine amount per passengers will be $27,500. For international flight operators, the amount of fine will be much higher. For an example, Boeing 777 can run into a fine of $8.9 million just due to a single delayed flight.
American Airlines also informed that due to the ongoing construction at JFK, the company will be forced to cancel flights rather than being charged with these huge fines. It will mainly create problems for passengers in flights which available in limited number daily. The Federal Aviation Administration stated that JFK will suffer an average delay of 50 minutes during peak times and 29 minutes during normal hours during this runway construction. And this will last till 30th June.
American Airlines also supported JetBlue and Delta only with one condition that they will request to all other carriers operating at JFK. As said by the company spokesperson, if the rule does not apply to all the carriers equally then it is definitely going to create confusion among consumers. On the other hand, Kate Hanni of flyersrights.org, a passenger rights advocate, has asked DOT to deny the request.