Lufthansa hit with record $4 million penalty after blocking 128 Jewish passengers from boarding |
On Tuesday, October 15, 2024, the United States Transportation Department fined Lufthansa a hefty $4 million for preventing 128 Jewish passengers from boarding a connecting flight in Germany. The incident occurred in 2022 when the passengers were traveling from New York to Hungary to attend a memorial event for a revered Orthodox rabbi. The fine, which the Transportation Department described as a record for a civil rights violation, was imposed after the agency concluded that the airline engaged in religious discrimination.
The passengers were originally flying from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York to Budapest, with a planned layover in Frankfurt on May 3, 2022. While the initial leg of the journey went smoothly, trouble began when the passengers arrived in Frankfurt for their connecting flight. According to the Transportation Department’s investigation, Lufthansa barred all 128 passengers from boarding the next flight to Hungary due to the actions of a few individuals on the first flight.
The agency’s report explained that the trouble started when some passengers did not follow Lufthansa’s in-flight rules during the first leg of the journey. Specifically, the airline’s crew had instructed passengers to wear face masks and refrain from gathering in the aisles. Although only a small group of people failed to comply, Lufthansa treated the entire group of Orthodox Jewish passengers as if they were collectively responsible for these violations. The report emphasized that the majority of the passengers had followed all instructions.
The Transportation Department, in its findings, stated that the airline’s actions amounted to religious discrimination because Lufthansa singled out these passengers based on their religious identity and traditional Orthodox attire. The department highlighted that most of the affected passengers were men, easily identifiable by their clothing, and were unfairly penalized for the actions of a few. The decision to block them from the flight was made without identifying any specific individuals who had broken the rules.
Upon receiving over 40 formal complaints, the Transportation Department launched a thorough investigation. The department’s findings concluded that Lufthansa’s conduct not only violated U.S. civil rights laws but also represented a continuation of a discriminatory pattern that began during the first flight from New York.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg addressed the matter in a statement, saying, “No one should face discrimination when they travel. 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.” Buttigieg emphasized that the fine serves as a warning to all airlines that discriminatory practices will not be tolerated.
The penalty imposed on Lufthansa includes an immediate payment of $2 million, with the remaining $2 million being credited for compensation the airline had already provided to the affected passengers. According to the legal order, Lufthansa has 30 days to pay the fine. Additionally, the airline has been ordered to stop engaging in any discriminatory practices in the future.
Lufthansa has not publicly commented on the latest development. However, in a statement issued shortly after the incident in 2022, the airline expressed regret over the situation, saying, “Lufthansa sincerely apologizes for the circumstances surrounding the decision to exclude the affected passengers from the flight.”
The 2022 incident sparked widespread outrage, especially within Jewish communities and civil rights groups. Several organizations accused Lufthansa of acting in a discriminatory manner by preventing an entire group of Jewish passengers from continuing their journey based on the misbehavior of a few. The Transportation Department’s investigation confirmed these accusations, pointing out that the airline’s actions were unjustified and inconsistent with U.S. civil rights laws.
This fine marks one of the largest penalties ever imposed on an airline for civil rights violations. It also serves as a reminder that airlines operating in the U.S. are subject to stringent regulations regarding the treatment of passengers, including rules prohibiting discrimination based on religion, race, or other protected characteristics.
In conclusion, this decision by the Transportation Department is seen as a victory for the passengers who were unfairly treated during the 2022 flight. It also sends a strong signal to the airline industry that discriminatory practices will be met with significant consequences. While Lufthansa has already taken steps to compensate the passengers, the $4 million fine underscores the importance of ensuring equal treatment for all travelers, regardless of their background or religious beliefs.
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