American Airlines sanctioned over profiling of passengers

WASHINGTON (AFP) — American Airlines has agreed to a 1.5 million dollar settlement in order to avoid further disciplinary action over post-September 11 incidents in which Arab, Muslim and South Asian passengers were illegally removed from American flights, the US Department of Transportation said.

The agreement between the department and American finds the carrier violated federal discrimination laws and orders it to "cease and desist."

American also agreed to spend at least 1.5 million dollars over the next three years on civil rights training for its employees, particularly flight attendants and passenger service staff, who deal directly with the public, as part of the deal.

In exchange, the ...