Today, DOT fined Southwest Airlines $1.6 million for violating rules regarding lengthy tarmac delays and ordered Southwest to cease and desist from further violations. This is the largest civil penalty the Department has assessed for tarmac delay violations.

On January 2, 2014 --and extending into January 3-- Southwest failed to give passengers on 16 different aircraft at Chicago's Midway International Airport an opportunity to deplane within three hours of arrival. The airline also failed to have sufficient staff available to implement its Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan.

Under DOT’s aviation consumer protection rule, finalized in 2009, airlines must give passengers an opportunity to leave the plane during tarmac delays longer than three hours on domestic flights at U.S. airports. Exceptions are allowed only for safety, security, and air traffic control-related reasons.

The January 2014 tarmac delay violations stemmed from a malfunctioning crew scheduling system and an unexpected shortage of staff --particularly for Southwest's ramp-crew-- inhibiting the airline's ability to clear aircraft from its gates and accommodate arriving flights. A severe winter weather event at Midway complicated the delays.

Why such a large penalty? Because this event involved more flights and more passengers than previous incidents assessed lesser penalties. DOT's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection has been working tirelessly to help make air travel as fair and friendly as possible. Since the 2009 rule went into effect, we have issued 17 orders with penalties for tarmac delays totaling $5.24 million.

Want to read today's consent order? Visit www.regulations.gov.