The US Department of Transportation (DOT) fined American Airlines (AA, Dallas/Fort Worth) and Delta Air Lines (DL, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson) USD1 million and USD750,000, respectively, for lengthy tarmac delays.

The DOT identified thirteen cases in which American Airlines did not comply with the law regarding care provided to passengers in case of a lengthy tarmac delay, including five incidents at Austin-Bergstrom International, two at Tampa International, and one each at Columbia, SC, Tucson International, West Palm Beach International, Dallas/Fort Worth, Las Vegas Harry Reid, and Little Rock.

Of the USD1 million fine, USD450,000 will be credited to American for compensation provided to passengers on the affected flights.

"The Enforcement Office has found that Delta failed to adhere to the assurances in its tarmac delay contingency plan for various flights at Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson on January 29, 2017 and December 8, 2017, and at Kansas City International on February 20, 2018," the DOT said.

The carrier was credited USD450,000 for assistance provided to the passengers. The remaining balance of USD300,000 is payable by the end of March 2019.

Both airlines said they were investing in upgrading their facilities to avoid delays and disputed some of the cases identified by the DOT.