United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Airline hit with record DOT fine for discrimination
The US Department of Transportation has hit Germany flag carrier Lufthansa with a record $4 million fine.
The DOT says the airline discriminated against 128 Jewish passengers traveling from New York City to Hungary in 2022.
The agency said Lufthansa prevented the passengers from making a connecting flight in Germany to Budapest.
The DOT said it is the largest civil rights penalty ever imposed.
The agency opened an investigation after it received dozens of complaints.
The passengers were prevented from catching their connecting flight at Frankfurt due to the behavior of a small number of passengers in the group.
They were collectively penalized for the bad actions of a few, the agency said.
This constituted religious discrimination, it said.
The problem related to not wearing masks on the flight and not following crew instructions.
“The denial of transport in Frankfurt was a continuation of a pattern of discriminatory behavior that began on a flight from the United States,” the DOT said.
“No one should face discrimination when they travel, and today’s action sends a clear message to the airline industry that we are prepared to investigate and take action whenever passengers’ civil rights are violated,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg added.
Related News Stories:
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Scammed passenger goes on airport rampage
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
The Northern Lights in Fairbanks