Air India has been fined $80,000 by the US Department of Transportation for failing to post customer service and tarmac delay contingency plans on its Web site.
It has also failed to adequately inform passengers about its optional fees, the Department said in a statement.
This is the first penalty assessed for a violation of the Department’s new airline consumer rules that took effect August 23, 2011, the statement added.
“Our new airline consumer rules help ensure that passengers are fully informed about airline services and fees and what to expect if their flight is delayed on the tarmac,” the US Transportation Secretary, Mr Ray LaHood, said.
“We will continue to monitor carriers to make sure they comply with our rules and take enforcement action when they do not.”
Beginning August 23, 2011, foreign carriers operating to the US with at least one aircraft of 30 or more seats have been required to adopt contingency plans for lengthy tarmac delays as well as customer service plans, and to post these plans on their Web sites.
US carriers have been covered by this requirement since April 29, 2010, the statement adds.