Wed, Apr 28, 2010
DOT Fines Airline For Violations Of Denied Boarding
Compensation Rules
The U.S. DOT assessed a civil penalty against Southwest
Airlines Tuesday for violating federal rules regarding passengers
denied boarding ("bumped") on oversold flights. "The Department of
Transportation is committed to protecting the rights of airline
passengers," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
"We expect airlines to comply with our rules when they must bump
passengers, and we will take enforcement action when they do
not."
Southwest was ordered to cease and desist from further
violations and assessed a civil penalty of $200,000. Up to
$20,000 of the penalty may be used by the carrier to develop
methods beyond what DOT requires to provide prominent notice to
passengers of the carrier's oversales policies and the rights of
bumped passengers.
When a flight is oversold, DOT regulations require airlines to
seek volunteers willing to give up their seats for
compensation. If not enough volunteers can be found and the
carrier must bump passengers involuntarily, the carrier is required
to give bumped passengers a written statement describing their
rights and explaining how it decides who will be bumped from an
oversold flight. In most cases, passengers bumped
involuntarily also are entitled to cash compensation of up to
$800.
The DOT Aviation Enforcement Office's investigation of
Southwest's compliance with the bumping rule included a review of
consumer complaints sent to the carrier and a site inspection at
the airline's headquarters during 2009. The investigation
revealed numerous instances in which Southwest denied boarding to
passengers but did not comply with provisions of the bumping
rule.
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