The US Department of Transportation said on Monday it had fined US Airways Group for failure to provide sufficient wheelchair assistance at Philadelphia and Charlotte airports. The government agency said the fine would be the largest it had imposed regarding disability cases.
Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said, "All air travelers should be treated fairly when they fly, regardless of any disabilities they may have."
Airlines typically provide quick wheelchair assistance to disabled passengers for a fee. The service was especially important when passengers have connecting flights.
The Department of Transportation launched its investigation after it received 300 complaints at the said airports in 2011 and 2012. The complaints indicated that US Airways had left some passengers unattended for long periods of time, with some missing their connecting flights. Investigators representing the government agency also found out that the airline's electric wheelchairs and carts neede frequent transfers, causing prolonged delays.
In its signed agreement with the Department of Transportation, US Airways would be paying the US government USD700,000. The airline would also be investing USD280,000 to hire managers specifically to check disability services are being delivered. USD80,000 would also be spent by the airline to establish a hotline solely to assist its passengers, USD75,000 to procure tablets in monitoring disability requests, and USD30,000 to program computers to designate passengers needing assistance in boarding passes. A total of USD35,000 would be allocated for compensating passengers who complained and had led to the investigation.
US Airways spokesman Todd Lehmacher assured the government agency and the public of its compliance. He also said US Airways would be investing more than the government required them to spend.
"We are investing $2 million per year in continuous enhancements to our technology, staffing and training. This will build on the success of our recent improvements and ensure that our customers with disabilities have a positive travel experience on our airline," Lehmacher said.
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