Federal Government, Fines American Airlines , for Long Delays.<br />NPR reports that the United States government will fine <br />American Airlines $4.1 million for long ground delays that <br />kept passengers on board planes without a chance to exit.<br />According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, <br />it is the largest fine ever issued against an airline <br />since regulation on ground delays began decades ago.<br />NPR reports that American will have to <br />pay half of the fine in the next 30 days.<br />The federal government will give <br />the airline credit for the other half of <br />the fine, equaling just over $2 million. .<br />The Department of Transportation's investigation <br />revealed that American had kept 43 domestic flights <br />grounded for at least three hours between 2018 and 2021.<br />This is the latest action in our <br />continued drive to enforce <br />the rights of airline passengers, Pete Buttigieg, Transportation Secretary, via NPR.<br />NPR reports that American Airlines defended itself, saying <br />that those 43 flights represent just 1% of the airline's <br />7.7 million flights operated over the same period of time.<br />The airline reportedly added that <br />"substantial compensation" had already <br />been paid to delayed passengers. .<br />A majority of delays reportedly occurred at <br />Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).<br />NPR reports that many of the incidents happened during <br />thunderstorms or other inclement weather
