Airlines Faced Fewer Fines In 2008 Despite Traveler Troubles

Airlines Faced Fewer Fines In 2008 Despite Traveler Troubles

The Department of Transportation's enforcement of airline rules dropped sharply last year with the total of fines levied against airlines and travel companies falling to the lowest level since 2001.

The enforcement decline comes even though consumer complaints have been rising and the past two years have seen outcries over airlines leaving passengers stranded on airplanes for hours and surprising passengers with a plethora of new fees and surcharges.

In 2008, the DOT filed 20 cases against airlines and travel companies with fines totaling $1.2 million, compared with an average of 31 cases each year for the previous five years and annual fines averaging $4.3 million over that period. Enforcement activity peaked in 2003 and 2004, with fines topping $8.1 million in 2003 and 38 enforcement cases in 2004.

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