Department of Transportation Fines JetBlue for Persistent Flight Delays

JetBlue is being forced to fork over $2 million to the Department of Transportation (DoT) for persistent delays.

According to Airport Technology, the DOT found four routes with persistent delays over a period of five months, despite issuing warnings.

The fine is in relation to a DOT rule that prohibits airlines from advertising idealistic schedules that don’t actually reflect true flight times. A flight is considered chronically delayed if it is late more than 50% of the time over a four-month period.

JetBlue was given time to “fix” its schedules but never complied.

Among the chronically delayed routes are JetBlue’s JFK to Raleigh-Durham route, as well as routes between Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, JFK, and Windsor Locks.

Half of the fines collected will be used for compensating affected JetBlue customers. In addition to the fines, JetBlue is required to bring the delays to a stop.