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Airlines Beg for Break on 3-Hour Tarmac Rule

American joins JetBlue, Delta in petitioning DOT

By the Associated Press

Posted Mar 17, 2010 8:31 AM CDT
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(AP) – Add American Airlines to the list of carriers that want out of the government's new rule that limits the time passengers can be held on the tarmac. American has joined JetBlue and Delta in filing for a temporary exemption with the Department of Transportation, saying delays caused by the closure of the main runway at New York's JFK airport could cost them millions in fines. Those three airlines are the largest operators at JFK.

The new rule, set to go into effect next month, could mean fines of up to $27,500 per passenger if a plane is stuck on the tarmac for more than three hours. For an average Boeing 737, that could mean a fine of nearly $4 million. American said the gridlock due to construction at JFK will lead airlines to "cancel flights rather than run the risk of incurring such crippling penalties."

FILE - In this Feb. 1, 2009 file photo, American Airlines jets are seen at the Miami International Airport in Miami.
FILE - In this Feb. 1, 2009 file photo, American Airlines jets are seen at the Miami International Airport in Miami.   (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, file)
An American Airlines aircraft, flying from Dallas, arrives at Heathrow Airport, London Tuesday March 2, 2010.
An American Airlines aircraft, flying from Dallas, arrives at Heathrow Airport, London Tuesday March 2, 2010.   (AP Photo)
FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2007 file photo, an American Airlines ground crew works below an aircraft operating at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Grapevine, Texas.
FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2007 file photo, an American Airlines ground crew works below an aircraft operating at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Grapevine, Texas.   (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, file)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 21 comments
hankhill
Mar 20, 2010 1:06 AM CDT
HAY LETS GIVE THEM ALL A BREAK FROM THE 3HR RULE I SAY MAKE IT 1HR
zayix111
Mar 19, 2010 7:31 PM CDT
Let me know how you feel when you are stuck on the ground without a plane ticket because the airlines have canceled flights rather than face a fine ... You see the problem with tarmac delays is almost never caused by the airline. The airlines want to fly their planes and make money. This is another typical example of our government shifting blame away from themselves, their antiquated air traffic control system, and the lack of efficient repair of public infrastructure. Just wait until they get their hands on healthcare. I guess it will be the doctors fault when you have to wait in line at the office for 4 hours ...
bewilderbeast
Mar 18, 2010 12:53 PM CDT
Of course one may be wrong, but it sure SEEMS as though American, JetBlue and Delta have only thought about the dollars and not the passengers AT ALL! One may of course be wrong . . . .

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

 
JFK Airport • American Airlines • air travel • Department of Transportation • airlines • tarmac • flight delays

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