WASHINGTON- UAE’s flag carrier Emirates Airlines (EK) has agreed to pay a $1.5 million fine for allegedly flying into airspace prohibited by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) while carrying the code of a US airline.
According to a consent order published by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) on June 13, Emirates operated a significant number of flights that entered the FAA-designated “Baghdad Flight Information Region.”
Emirates Fined by US FAA
The FAA has long prohibited US airlines from entering this airspace due to security concerns. This prohibition also applies to flights operated as codeshares with US carriers.
“Between December 2021 and August 2022, Emirates operated a significant number of flights carrying the JetBlue Airways (B6) code between the United Arab Emirates and the United States through the restricted Baghdad-area airspace,” states the DOT’s consent order.
In its response, Emirates clarifies that the FAA’s restriction applies only to airspace below 32,000 feet. The airline had planned for the flights to fly above the restricted zone, but the pilots were forced to descend into the prohibited area due to orders from air traffic controllers.
Without admitting wrongdoing, Emirates has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $1.5 million to settle the allegations. Additionally, it agrees to pay another $300,000 if it violates the terms of the settlement.
Similar Case
On October 1, 2020, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) fined Emirates $400,000 for operating flights carrying the JetBlue Airways code in airspace where the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibits U.S. operators from flying.
Emirates also ordered to cease future similar violations.
The DOT granted Emirates the economic licensing authority to display JetBlue Airways’ designator code (B6) on flights to and from the United States, provided that Emirates does not permit the JetBlue code to be carried in FAA-restricted airspace.
Feature Image by Caden Henderson (@cado.photo)
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