FINES UPDATE
July 24, 2014
The following fine has recently been issued by DOT:
Southwest Airlines Co. – $200,000
Southwest Airlines Co. (Southwest) was fined $200,000 for violating the Department’s advertising rules, 14 C.F.R. Part 399.84(a) and 49 U.S.C. § 41712, and Order 2013-7-20. According to DOT’s Enforcement Office, during a period of time in October 2013, Southwest ran television advertisements in the Atlanta area for $59 sale fares to destinations such as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. The investigation concluded that Southwest did not have any seats available for $59 between Atlanta and any of the advertised destinations on any of the advertised dates. By advertising fares for seats that were not available, Southwest violated 14 C.F.R. Part 399.84(a) and 49 U.S.C. § 41712. Additionally, Southwest was fined for violating a previous Consent Order, Order 2013-7-20.