The Obama administration is investigating whether any laws were violated when 47 passengers were stranded overnight on Continental Express Flight 2816 en route from Houston to Minneapolis.
“While we don’t yet have all the facts, this incident as reported is very troubling,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement. “We are investigating the incident and will do whatever we can to make sure passengers are not subjected to such situations in the future.”
The department sent Continental Airlines a letter asking for details on the entire flight, which finally arrived in Minneapolis almost 14 hours after it took off from Houston. The flight was delayed due to severe weather patterns, but passengers were stranded inside the 50-seat plane before they finally made it home the next day.
The DOT has asked for official procedures from the airlines that detail deplaning of passengers if airport security isn’t available, which was cited as a reason for keeping the passengers onboard.
According to reports, legislation is currently pending in the Senate to authorize Federal Aviation Administration programs to include a provision that would require airlines to return passengers to the gate after a three-hour tarmac delay. The Obama administration hasn’t taken a position or spoken on behalf of this provision, however the Air Transport Association, which represents most major air carriers, opposes this rule.
© Cheapflights Ltd Melanie Nayer (Photo credit: BriYYZ)
