Spirit faces record $375,000 penalty

Spirit Airlines yesterday was assessed a record $375,000 civil penalty by the US Dept. of Transportation "for failing to comply with rules governing denied boarding compensation, fare advertising, baggage liability and other consumer protection requirements," the agency said.

DOT said its Aviation Enforcement Office found that the Florida-based LCC bumped passengers from oversold flights without compensation or written notification that they were entitled to compensation, and that the carrier "failed to resolve baggage claims within a reasonable period." DOT said Spirit furnished compensation for delayed luggage for only the outbound leg of roundtrip flights and only for purchases made more than 24 hr. after arrival. It also failed to accept responsibility for "missing laptop computers and certain other items it accepted as baggage," DOT said.

In addition, Spirit omitted carrier-imposed fees from the base fare quoted in certain advertisements and was found guilty of several other violations regarding response and handling of passengers' questions or complaints.

DOT said the AEO's investigation involved both a review of complaints filed with the department and inspections of airports and Spirit's headquarters. It said it intends to conduct a follow-up investigation within the next year.


by Brian Straus