Airlines

Passenger stranded on Tarmac, DOT Fines $4.1 Million to American Airlines

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) penalized American Airlines $4.1 million today for breaking federal laws and a rule that forbids three-hour or longer tarmac delays on domestic flights without giving customers a chance to disembark. According to the DOT’s inquiry, American kept a number of flights stranded on the runway for extended periods of time without allowing passengers to disembark.

American must obey DOT’s orders to stop breaking the law and pay the biggest amount ever assessed for tarmac delay offences. The DOT is making an unprecedented effort to protect the traveling public, which includes paying out more than $2.5 billion in refunds to passengers.

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Pete Buttigieg, secretary of Transportation for the United States, said, “This is the latest action in our continued drive to enforce the rights of airline passengers.” “Whether the problem is severe tarmac delays or issues with refunds, DOT will continue to protect consumers and hold airlines responsible,” said the statement.

The Department’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) conducted a thorough investigation and discovered that between 2018 and 2021, American allowed 43 domestic flights to spend significant amounts of time on the tarmac without giving passengers the chance to disembark, in violation of the Department’s tarmac delay rule. According to DOT, none of the tarmac delay exclusions, including the ones for safety and security, apply to those flights. On one of the 43 flights, passengers did not receive the necessary amounts of food and water. At Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, the majority of the delays happened. A total of 5,821 passengers were impacted by the tarmac delays.

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The Department’s $4.1 million fine is the highest civil penalty it has ever imposed for breaking the DOT’s tarmac delay rule. Of the $4.1 million assessed, the airline will receive a credit of $2.05 million for the compensation given to passengers on the impacted flights. By offering these credits, the DOT encourages airlines to compensate passengers, diverting some of the civil penalties that would have gone to the Federal Treasury to the benefit of affected passengers.

Airlines

Air India to Launch aircraft maintenance training institute in Bengaluru

Air India, one of India’s leading global airlines, is set to establish a Basic Maintenance Training Organization (BMTO) in Bengaluru.

This institute will offer a comprehensive Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) program certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The program will follow an integrated 2+2 year structure, combining classroom learning with practical, hands-on training.

This initiative is part of Air India’s broader goal of creating a robust aviation ecosystem in India. With plans to expand its fleet and strengthen its operations, the airline aims to build a skilled workforce of maintenance engineers, making the organization self-reliant while supporting its ambitious transformation journey.

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To bring this vision to life, air india has partnered with Bengaluru Airport City Limited (BACL), a subsidiary of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL). Together, they will develop a state-of-the-art facility spanning 86,000 square feet at Bengaluru Airport City.

This purpose-built campus will feature modern classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, and qualified trainers to deliver world-class education and training. The institute is expected to become operational by mid-2026.

The BMTO will be located close to Air India’s new 12-bay Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility, also set to open in Bengaluru by early 2026. The AME program will begin with two years of academic coursework, followed by two years of practical training at the MRO, ensuring students receive hands-on experience adhering to industry standards.

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In the meantime, Air India has introduced a Cadet AME program in collaboration with reputable institutions in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

This ensures continuity in its commitment to developing skilled aircraft maintenance engineers while the BMTO facility is under construction. The program also allows students to pursue a bachelor’s degree through university partnerships, enhancing their career and academic opportunities.

With this initiative, air india plane aims to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in aircraft maintenance and engineering, air india new planes contributing to the development of India’s aviation sector and creating specialized career paths for aspiring engineers.