Three US airlines fined for violating discrimination regulations

Airline Industry Information, August 29, 2003

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

The US has fined three airlines a total of USD750,000 after they failed to provide space for folding wheelchairs inside aircraft cabins.

The three airlines - America West Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines - have reportedly violated regulations banning discrimination against disabled passengers.

America West was fined USD150,000 but received a credit of USD135,000 to enable the company to create the stowage space. Southwest Airlines will now retrofit its overhead bins over the next 14 months in order to stow folding wheelchairs. The cost of the retrofit will be funded by the USD450,000 credit on its USD500,000 fine. Meanwhile, JetBlue will use USD90,000 of its USD100,000 fine to create a toll-free disability hotline and a quality assurance team.

Other airlines are also said to be under investigation for similar violations, reported The Associated Press.

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