SPIRIT FINED FOR FAILING TO MAKE REQUIRED NOTIFICATIONS DURING LENGTHY TARMAC DELAY
April 24, 2017
Spirit Airlines, Inc. (Spirit) was recently fined $60,000 for failing to inform passengers on a flight delayed at the gate that they had the opportunity to deplane. Under 14 C.F.R. 259.4(b)(6), covered carriers must provide notifications beginning 30 minutes after the scheduled departure time and every 30 minutes thereafter that passengers have the opportunity to deplane from an aircraft that is at the gate or another disembarkation area with the door open if the opportunity to deplane actually exists.
On December 27, 2015, Spirit Airlines flight 713 departed from Orlando International Airport (MCO) and was scheduled to land at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). The aircraft was diverted to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) due to bad weather. According to the consent order, after landing at MSY and reaching the gate, the aircraft door was opened. The aircraft remained at the gate with the door open for more than 30 minutes and passengers had the opportunity to deplane during this time. However, Spirit Airlines failed to notify passengers of this opportunity which resulted in a violation of the tarmac delay rule.
If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr (esahr@eckertseamans.com, 202-659-6622) or Drew Derco (dderco@eckertseamans.com, 202-659-6665).
Share This Post
Authors
