United fined for bad treatment of disabled passengers
United Airlines has been fined a total of $2.75 million for two separate offences over its treatment of disabled passengers and for violating tarmac delay rules.
The US Transportation Department said United did not return wheelchairs to customers in a timely manner or give adequate assistance to disabled travellers at five of its hub airports during 2014.
The DOT also found United did not allow passengers to disembark after tarmac delays of more than three hours during severe weather in December 2013 and May 2015.
"We remain committed to fully meeting all rules – particularly during difficult operating conditions," a United statement said.
The agency said $500,000 of the fine imposed will go toward upgrading United’s mobile app to allow customers to make advance requests for disabled assistance at airports.
"We expect this to greatly improve our ability to have wheelchairs where they need to be, when they need to be there, so that our customers can get on their way home or to their next destination with ease," said Jon Roitman, senior vice president of airport operations.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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