“We will make sure that airlines comply with our rules and treat their passengers fairly,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement outlining the agency’s action.
DOT said that its review of “a significant increase” in the number of disability-related complaints against the carrier in 2014 “revealed that United failed to provide passengers with disabilities prompt and adequate assistance” getting on and off its airplanes and in moving through terminals at Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Denver International Airport, Newark International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport.
The agency’s review also found numerous instances in which United delayed the return of passengers’ wheelchairs, other mobility aids or other assistive devices, or returned them damaged.
The $2 million fine breaks down this way:
DOT is requiring United to pay $700,000 within 30 days. The carrier must also spend $150,000 to improve quality assurance audits of contracted wheelchairs vendors and another $500,000 on a mobile app that helps passengers with disabilities request wheelchairs and other disability-related assistance at airports. The airline is being credited $650,000 for compensation it gave to consumers who filed a 2014 disability-related complaint.
Full Article & Source:
DOT fines United $2.75 million for delays and disability-related complaints
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