The U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) has fined Virgin Atlantic Airways $1.05 million for using Delta’s flight code on flights that flew through Iraqi airspace where the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ban was in place. Did.
According to the DoT, British airlines flew a significant number of flights over Iraq carrying passengers on Delta Air Lines codeshare flights that were restricted by FAA-issued Air Mission Notices (NOTAMs). . NOTAM has banned US airlines from operating flights in the Baghdad Flight Information Region (FIR) from March 12, 2020 to October 22, 2021. Separately, US airlines are also prohibited from flying below his FL320 within the Baghdad FIR. until today. According to DoT documents, the ban also applies to “foreign airlines carrying U.S. airline codes.”
British airlines were operating flights between the UK and India, according to documents outlining the incident. It listed a code for a US-based airline and was in violation of Title 49 413 § 41301 of the US Code. Airlines have historically adhered to a requirement that they “not operate flights carrying U.S. airline designation codes in, out of, or through airspace in which the FAA has issued a U.S. civil aviation ban.” It claimed, “the flight was negligent, due to operational disruptions and loss of personnel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
As such, “the penalties imposed must be significantly reduced given the circumstances,” said Dockett. However, with the goal of resolving the issue without filing a lawsuit, the airline agreed to a settlement.
The DoT fined Virgin Atlantic $1.05 million and ordered it to cease further violations of U.S. law. The fine will be split into multiple payments, with the first $175,000 installment due January 17, 2023 and he will be paid within 60 days. His two additional installments of the same amount will be payable to the U.S. Treasury 150 days and 240 days after the date of issuance of the order. If Virgin Atlantic suspends and terminates or breaches the payment terms within one (1) year, “all outstanding amounts will become due and must be paid immediately and Virgin Atlantic will be subject to additional enforcement actions for failure to comply with this order.” It’s possible,” the DoT concluded.
