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The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) fined JetBlue $2 million for “operating multiple chronically delayed flights,” marking the first penalty of its kind, the agency announced on Friday.
“The penalty marks the first time DOT has fined an airline for chronic flight delays – a prohibited unrealistic scheduling practice which can harm both passengers and fair competition across the airline industry,” the agency said in a news release. “Half of the penalty is going to compensate JetBlue customers affected by the airline’s chronic delays or any future disruptions caused by JetBlue within the next year.”
“Illegal chronic flight delays make flying unreliable for travelers. Today’s action puts the airline industry on notice that we expect their flight schedules to reflect reality,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement. “The department will enforce the law against airlines with chronic delays or unrealistic scheduling practices in order to protect healthy competition and ensure passengers are treated fairly.”
DOT is currently investigating other airlines for “unrealistic flight schedules.”