American Airlines Fined $50 Million for Disgraceful Disrespect of Passengers’ Wheelchairs, Caught on Film

American Airlines was fined $50 million for violating laws protecting passengers with disabilities after images emerged of its employees grossly mishandling wheelchairs.

The U.S. Department of Transportation said in a statement that the fine was a result of the airline’s mistreatment of passengers with disabilities.

In an exhaustive investigation, the agency found that the carrier had committed numerous violations, including instances of American providing “unsafe physical assistance” to passengers.

The alleged treatment “has sometimes resulted in injuries and undignified treatment of wheelchair users,” the agency said.

American Airlines was fined $50 million for violating laws protecting passengers with disabilities after footage emerged of its staff egregiously mishandling wheelchairs.

The department said it has received three formal complaints from the Paralyzed Veterans of America alleging similar mistreatment since the investigation began.

“The era of tolerance for poor treatment of airline passengers with disabilities is over,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

“With this penalty, we are setting a new standard of accountability for airlines that violate the civil rights of passengers with disabilities.

“By establishing sanctions at levels that go beyond the mere cost of doing business for airlines, we aim to change the way the industry behaves and prevent these types of abuses from happening in the first place.”

The agency further noted that the fine was 25 times greater than penalties issued in the past to “set a new precedent for how DOT will enforce such violations in the future.”

The issue first came to light after a TikTok video taken at Miami International Airport went viral.

The short clip showed an airline employee at the top of a ramp, causing a wheelchair to fall and hit the bottom of the ramp before flying into the air.

The U.S. Department of Transportation noted that the fine was 25 times greater than penalties issued in the past to “set a new precedent for how DOT will enforce such violations in the future.”

Another employee waited at the bottom of the ramp – but made no effort to stop the wheelchair.

American Airlines released a statement following the publication of a video saying it was investigating and that the footage was “deeply concerning.”

According to federal regulations, airlines must “timely return wheelchairs and other mobility devices in the condition in which they were received and provide passengers with disabilities with immediate assistance in entering and exiting the aircraft, including moving within the airport.” ”.

More than 11,000 wheelchairs, scooters and other devices for the disabled were broken by airlines in 2022, according to the department.

Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, said: “We applaud the Department of Transportation’s historic civil rights agreement to uphold the dignity of passengers with disabilities in air travel.

More than 11,000 wheelchairs, scooters and other devices for the disabled were broken by airlines in 2021

‘The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities have the freedom to travel independently. Travelers with disabilities should be assured that they will receive timely assistance and arrive safely, with their mobility aids and assistive devices intact.’

Under the terms of the penalty, American Airlines will be required to pay a $25 million fine to the U.S. Treasury Department.

In addition, the company will receive a credit of US$25 million for investments in damage prevention, including equipment to reduce incidents.

If these expenses are not covered by the airlines, the additional $25 million will be paid as a fine to the US Treasury.