The U.S. Department of Transportation on Friday announced a $2 million fine against JetBlue for “operating numerous chronically delayed flights,” the first such fine by the federal agency.
Airlines are prohibited from offering unrealistic schedules that do not reflect actual flight departure and arrival times, yet a DOT investigation found that JetBlue used scheduled flights at least 145 times between June 2022 and November 2023. Delayed flights operated, according to DOT.
Each flight was continuously delayed for five months or more. Despite the DOT warning JetBlue about incorrect flight departure and arrival times on its flight between John F. Kennedy International Airport and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, the airline made three more flights between Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida, and JFK. Continued to operate frequently delayed flights; and between Fort Lauderdale and Windsor Locks, Connecticut, the agency said.
The department found that these four long-delayed flights caused a total of 395 delays and cancellations.
JetBlue said it has invested millions of dollars in reducing flight delays over the past two years and sees significant improvements in 2024.
A spokesperson said, “While we have reached an agreement to resolve this matter regarding four flights in 2022 and 2023, we believe the U.S. government equally has a responsibility for reliable air travel, Which operates our nation's air traffic control system.”
What counts as long-term delay?
The agency continues to investigate other airlines for unrealistic flight schedules that do not reflect actual departure and arrival times. It states that if a flight flies at least 10 times a month and is delayed by more than 30 minutes more than 50% of the time, it is considered delayed, which includes cancellations as delays. goes.
The fine comes as the Biden administration ends, leaving it uncertain how the incoming Trump administration will handle transportation issues. Under Biden, transportation regulators have taken a number of actions to protect airline passengers, including the rule now being passed automatic refund When flights are significantly delayed or cancelled.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement, “Unlawful chronic flight delays make flying unreliable for travelers. Today's action shows the entire airline industry that we expect their flight schedules to reflect reality. ” “The Department will enforce the law against airlines that cause long-term delays or other unrealistic scheduling practices to protect healthy competition in commercial aviation and ensure that passengers are treated fairly.”
An investigation by the agency found that JetBlue was responsible for more than 70% of delayed flights.
passengers are getting money
JetBlue must pay half of the fine in cash to the U.S. Treasury, with the remaining $1 million paid to JetBlue passengers within the next year to compensate JetBlue for losses from delayed flights or any future disruption caused by JetBlue. Future compensation should be a minimum of $75 for each affected passenger.
According to Cirium's rankings, JetBlue had the worst performance among US airlines last year. The aviation analytics firm found that less than 75% of JetBlue's flights arrived on schedule, leaving the airline behind all major domestic carriers, including some of its low-cost rivals. Only Frontier Airlines performed poorly in the US, Cirium said in a statement report Published on Thursday.