American Airlines Fined Record $50 Million for Mishandling 10,760 Wheelchairs, Violating Disability Rights

Oct 23, 2024, 01:47 PM

American Airlines has agreed to pay a record $50 million fine after the U.S. Department of Transportation found that the Fort Worth-based carrier violated laws protecting passengers with disabilities. The Biden administration accused the airline of failing to provide adequate wheelchair assistance, mishandling more than 10,760 wheelchairs and mobility scooters from 2019 to 2023, and in some cases causing injuries due to unsafe assistance. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated that American Airlines "provided unsafe and undignified physical assistance to passengers." The $50 million penalty is 25 times larger than the previous highest fine for disability protection violations. The airline is expected to implement corrective measures to ensure compliance with federal regulations regarding the treatment of passengers with disabilities.