Qantas Fined: Airline Failed to Inform Passengers of Chance to Leave Delayed Aircraft

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) fined Australian carrier Qantas Airways $90,000 for not informing passengers on a delayed aircraft at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport that they had the opportunity to leave the plane as it sat at the gate for an extended period of time with the door open. DOT rules prohibit airlines from allowing planes to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours for domestic flights and for more than four hours for international flights without giving passengers a chance to deplane.