Airlines

United Airlines CEO Apologizes for Taking Private Jet During Flight Disruptions

Scott Kirby, the CEO of United Airlines, issued an apology on Friday for leaving the New York region earlier this week on a private plane as the airline’s numerous flight cancellations left thousands of travelers stranded at the Airport.

In a statement released by the airline, Kirby stated that choosing a private jet was the incorrect course of action since it was disrespectful to the passengers who were anxious to return home. “I deeply apologize to our customers and team members who have been working nonstop for several days, frequently in inclement weather, to take care of our consumers.

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Kirby concluded by saying “to better demonstrate my respect for the dedication of our team members and the loyalty of our customers.” The majority of the 3,000 flights canceled by United Airlines this week were at its Newark Liberty International Airport hub in New Jersey, which was struck by thunderstorms.

Kirby attributed the weekend’s delays in Newark to a lack of Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers. In a memo to staff members, he claimed that the FAA had “honestly failed us” by limiting the speed at which flights could land and take off at the airport, where United is the main airline.

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In order to prepare for the holiday weekend of July 4, which is expected to be busy at airports around the country, United promised to repair its operation.

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Airlines

Federal Court Imposes $100M Fine on Qantas for “Ghost Flights” Scandal

In a major ruling, the Federal Court has confirmed a hefty A$100 million penalty against Qantas for its involvement in the “ghost flights” scandal. As reported by FlightGlobal.

The court found that Qantas misled consumers by offering and selling tickets for flights that the airline had already decided to cancel. Adding to the controversy, Qantas failed to promptly notify ticket holders about these cancellations.

The penalty follows Qantas’ admission of violating the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). The airline agreed with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on the penalty amount, aiming to deter Qantas and other businesses from similar breaches in the future.

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The ACCC emphasized that this substantial fine sends a clear message: misleading customers will lead to serious consequences, regardless of a company’s size. In addition to the penalty, Qantas has committed to paying approximately A$20 million to affected passengers who unknowingly purchased tickets for canceled flights.

This compensation comes on top of any refunds or alternative flight arrangements already provided. ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb praised the penalty, underscoring the importance of robust compliance programs red energy qantas in large corporations like Qantas.

She pointed out that Qantas has since made changes to its operating and scheduling procedures to prevent similar issues in the future.