Due to Flight Delays:Jet Blue Fined $2 Million Dollar

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 The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is fining JetBlue $2 million Dollar.

According to DOT, the fine is due to ongoing flight delays. This is the first time legal action is taken against flight delays, and they claim it involves the illegal practice of setting unrealistic schedules that can harm passengers and undermine fair competition in the industry.

Half of the fine will be used to compensate passengers affected by the delays or future disruptions caused by the airline in the coming year (each passenger will receive a minimum compensation of $75). Meanwhile, the department continues investigations into other airlines suspected of setting unrealistic schedules.

"Chronic and illegal flight delays harm the reliability of air travel for passengers. Today's action sends a clear message to the airlines industry – we expect your schedules to reflect reality," said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. "The department will enforce the law against airlines with chronic delays or unrealistic schedules, to ensure healthy competition and fair treatment of passengers.”

According to DOT regulations, airlines are prohibited from promising unrealistic schedules that do not reflect actual departure and arrival times. Such unrealistic planning is considered a misleading, unfair, and anti-competitive practice that disrupts passengers' travel plans and allows airlines to attract customers based on false information. A chronic delay is considered when a flight operates at least 10 times a month and arrives more than 30 minutes late over 50% of the time, for four consecutive months or more. Cancellations are also included in the delay calculations.

A DOT investigation found that JetBlue operated four flights that were delayed at least 145 times between June 2022 and November 2023. According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the airline was responsible for over 70% of the disruptions in these flights. DOT noted that once a flight is classified as chronically delayed, the airline is given sufficient time to change its schedules and avoid further violations – something JetBlue failed to do.