DELTA ORDERED TO PAY $120,000 FOR INACCURACIES IN ANNUAL ANIMAL REPORT
July 26, 2017
Delta Airlines has been issued a consent order by the Department of Transportation to pay $120,000 as a result of inaccurate reporting in its annual animal report provided to the Aviation Consumer Protections Division (ACPD) in January 2016. Delta submitted its animal report for the 2015 year in January 2016 reporting it had transported a total of 98,779 animals. In February 2016 Delta contacted the Department and noted concern in the methodology used by carriers when reporting, and stated the annual animal report was flawed. Delta reviewed its records and concluded that it’s previously reported number of animals transported for 2015 was wrong, and the correct number was 159,747. The Department’s Office of Aviation Enforcement Proceeding performed an investigation into the drastic change in the numbers reported. The carrier reviewed its calculations and changed the number of animals reported for a third time. The total this time was only 96,630.
As a result of Delta’s inaccurate reporting and concern from the Department and several carriers about the accuracy of the data, the publication of the Air Traffic Consumer Report was delayed. This deprived the traveling public of data to be used when determining which carrier to choose when transporting an animal. Delta regrets the misstep and notes that this was the first year in which these reports were required, and actions were not performed in bad faith. The airline has indicated corrective actions and intends to improve its reporting process moving forward.
If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr (esahr@eckertseamans.com, 202-659-6622) or Drew Derco (dderco@eckertseamans.com, 202-659-6665).
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