WASHINGTON- The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has imposed substantial fines on Ethiopian Airlines (ET) and Etihad Airways (EY) for operating flights in prohibited airspace using other airlines’ designator codes.
Ethiopian Airlines received a $425,000 fine, while Etihad Airways was fined $400,000 for violations discovered during a comprehensive investigation.
US DOT Fines Ethiopian and Etihad
The Department’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) uncovered significant regulatory breaches between 2020 and 2023. Ethiopian Airlines operated multiple flights carrying the United Airlines (UA) code between Ethiopia and Djibouti in airspace restricted to U.S. operators.
Notably, the airline continued these flights even after receiving an investigation letter from OACP, directly violating its operational authority.
Etihad Airways faced similar penalties for operating flights with JetBlue Airways (B6) designator code between the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
The investigation revealed that the airline continued these unauthorized flights between August 2022 and April 2023, despite multiple notifications from OACP about the problematic conduct.
Both airlines were found to have operated air transportation without proper Department of Transportation authorization. The fines serve as a stern warning, with the airlines ordered to cease and desist from similar violations in the future.
Similar Fines
In September 2024, US DOT fined Air Canada (AC) $250,000 for violating restricted Iraqi airspace regulations during codeshare flights with United Airlines. Between October 2022 and January 2023, the airline operated multiple flights through prohibited areas connecting the United Arab Emirates and Canada.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has banned U.S. carriers from flying below specific altitudes in Iraqi airspace since October 2020 due to regional security concerns. Air Canada’s flights breached these critical restrictions, continuing operations even after receiving an investigation letter from the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP).
The DOT determined that Air Canada violated its operational authority by conducting unauthorized air transportation. The airline operated these flights despite existing safety regulations designed to protect aircraft and passengers in conflict-sensitive regions.
Air Canada defended its actions, claiming the violations were unintentional and limited. The airline cited complex operational challenges, including aircraft load considerations, unexpected weather conditions, and air traffic control delays while operating Boeing 777-300 aircraft.
Emirates Fined $1.8 Million
U.S. Department of Transportation has fined Emirates Airlines $1.5 million for operating flights through prohibited Baghdad Flight Information Region airspace while carrying a JetBlue Airways designator code. The consent order, published on June 13, details significant regulatory violations between December 2021 and August 2022.
The Federal Aviation Administration has long prohibited U.S. airlines from entering this airspace due to critical security concerns. These restrictions extend to codeshare flights operated by international carriers representing U.S. airline codes.
Emirates operated multiple flights between the United Arab Emirates and the United States through the restricted Baghdad-area airspace. The airline maintains that its flights were initially planned to remain above the 32,000-foot restricted zone. However, air traffic controller instructions forced pilots to descend into the prohibited airspace.
The DOT’s consent order mandates Emirates pay an immediate $1.5 million civil penalty. The airline faces an additional $300,000 fine if it violates the settlement terms. Emirates has agreed to the penalty without formally admitting wrongdoing.
Featured Image by Clément Alloing | Flickr
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The post US Fines Ethiopian and Etihad Over $400,000 for Prohibited Airspace Flights appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
