JetBlue and Delta Airlines Ask for Exclusion

JetBlue and Delta Airlines two of the biggest operators at the JFK airport want a temporary exclusion from the new government rule, which limits the amount of time, which a passenger can be held on the tarmac.

JFK airport is infamous throughout the nation for its flight delays last year. The JFK runway presently been closed from March 1, has started to cause more delays, and probably will do more in the coming days.

The new rule of the Department of Transportation, which forces airlines to let passengers off planes, which are delayed for more than three hours or face hefty fines. For example, a Boeing 737, which is fully occupied, can attract a fine of $3.5 million.

JetBlue and Delta are worried that hefty fines might hit them. Spokespersons for both the airlines say that the delays caused by the shutdown of the main runway at JFK airport can cost them millions of dollars.

It is interesting to note that 22 flights were delayed nationwide for more than 3 hours from gate to departure in December last year.

JetBlue appealed to the Department of Transportation saying that although the airline had taken several steps to ensure only minimum discomfort for the passengers due to closure of the JFK runway, the exclusion was required to ensure that it doesn’t get penalised if the airport becomes grid locked at peak times.

May is the month from which the new rule of Department of Transportation will be in effect. It is also the starting of the peak travel season. Airlines have already cut their schedules to help ease the delays until the JFK runway reopens in July.

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