American Airlines fined $4.1 million for dozens of long tarmac delays that trapped passengers

By DAVID KOENIG
AP Airlines Writer

DALLAS (AP) — American Airlines is drawing the largest fine ever keeping passengers on delayed flights without giving them a chance to leave the plane. The U.S. Department of Transportation said Monday it fined American $4.1 million for more than three dozen violations of the so-called tarmac-delay rules, which took effect about a decade ago. The government says its investigation shows that from 2018 through 2021, American kept 43 domestic flights stuck on the ground for at least three hours without giving passengers the chance to deplane.