Aerolíneas Argentinas, Fined by the US Department of Transportation for Tarmac Delays
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today fined Aerolíneas Argentinas 300,000 dollars for violating a federal statute and the Department’s rule prohibiting long tarmac delays. The airline was also ordered to cease and desist from future similar violations.
An investigation by the Department’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) found that Aerolíneas Argentinas allowed two flights from Buenos Aires to New York – one on February 9, 2017, and another on January 4, 2018 – to remain on the tarmac for a lengthy period of time without providing passengers an opportunity to deplane. The 2017 tarmac delay lasted 4 hours and 46 minutes, and the 2018 tarmac delay lasted 4 hours and 35 minutes and resulted in passengers vigorously requesting to deplane.
Under the DOT tarmac delay rule, foreign airlines operating aircraft with 30 or more passenger seats are prohibited from allowing their international flights to remain on the tarmac at U.S. airports for more than four hours without giving passengers an opportunity to leave the plane. An exception to the time limit is allowed only for safety, security, or air traffic control-related reasons.
The rule also requires airlines to provide adequate food and water, ensure that lavatories are working and, if necessary, provide medical attention to passengers during long tarmac delays.
The company chose not to comment on the matter.
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