Crash victims’ families prepare to make what could be their final plea for Boeing’s prosecution
A federal judge in Texas is set to hear arguments on a U.S. government motion to dismiss a felony charge against Boeing.
Airlines
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US senators grill officials from 5 airlines over fees for seats and checked bags
Members of a U.S. Senate subcommittee took aim at airline executives Wednesday for using an expanding menu of fees to charge customers for early boarding, better seats and other comforts that used to be part of the ticket price.
Airline CEOs, Buttigieg fight over regulations even after election
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg snapped back Thursday at criticism from airline executives who say the Biden administration over-regulated them, pointing out that some of those airlines are making large profits despite new passenger-protection rules.
United Airlines says regulators plan to increase oversight of company following issues
Federal regulators are increasing their oversight of United Airlines, the company announced Friday, following a series of recent issues including a piece of the outer fuselage falling off one jet, an engine fire and a plane losing a tire during takeoff.
JetBlue and Spirit are ending their $3.8 billion merger after federal judge blocked the deal
JetBlue said Monday that even though both companies still believe in the deal, they were unlikely to meet the closing conditions required in the agreement before a July 24 deadline.
Southwest Airlines reaches $140M settlement over holiday meltdown last year
Southwest Airlines will pay a $35 million fine as part of a $140 million settlement to resolve a federal investigation into a debacle in December 2022 when the airline canceled thousands of flights and stranded more than 2 million travelers over the holidays.
Court watchdog files complaint against judge who ordered ‘religious-liberty training’ for lawyers
A court watchdog has filed a complaint against the federal judge who ordered “religious-liberty training” for a trio of Southwest Airlines lawyers as part of their punishment for not fully following his orders in a case involving speech about abortion.
US lifts COVID-19 test requirement for international travel
The Biden administration is lifting its requirement that international travelers test negative for COVID-19 within a day before boarding a flight to the United States, ending one of the last remaining government mandates designed to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Biden administration opposes airlines in lawsuit over crew breaks
The Biden administration has sided against the airline industry and urged the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday to uphold a California law that would provide more rest and meal breaks than airline crews are guaranteed under federal rules.
Delta asks DOJ to put unruly passengers on no-fly list
Any person convicted of a disruption on board a flight should be added to the national “no fly” list, Delta Air Lines told the U.S. Department of Justice.
Justice Dept. to prioritize prosecuting violence on flights
Attorney General Merrick Garland directed U.S. attorneys across the country to swiftly prioritize prosecution of federal crimes that happen on commercial flights as federal officials face a historic number of investigations into passenger behavior.
US sues to stop deal between American Airlines and JetBlue
The Justice Department and officials in six states have filed a lawsuit to block a partnership formed by American Airlines and JetBlue, claiming it will reduce competition and lead to higher fares.
US plans to require COVID-19 shots for foreign travelers
The Biden administration is taking the first steps toward requiring nearly all foreign visitors to the U.S. to be vaccinated for the coronavirus, a White House official said.
SCOTUS to settle circuit split in foreign arbitration case
An aircraft engine fire that sparked a foreign arbitration discovery battle between an American manufacturer and a British company over a 150-year-old law is headed to the United States Supreme Court for clarification.
Biden pick for transportation, Buttigieg, advances in Senate
A Senate panel on Wednesday easily advanced President Joe Biden’s nomination of former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg to be transportation secretary, setting up a final confirmation vote for a key role in Biden’s push to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure and confront climate change.
Rule change redefines service animals, bars those for emotional support
A new rule introduced by the U.S. Department of Transportation in December has revised the Air Carrier Access Act, redefining what constitutes a service animal on airplanes.
Hammond forum to focus on potential Real ID problems
Seeking to address potential problems that could arise when Real ID laws take effect Oct. 1, a Lake County judge and attorney will participate in a presentation this week aiming to resolve some of the issues lawyers and judges are seeing in court.
Bank alleges developer owes nearly $16M for project near airport
Old National Bank has sued local developer Paul Kite, alleging he and his company, PK IND Partners LLC, owe millions of dollars for a loan tied to the 2008 redevelopment of property at Indianapolis International Airport.
Attendant removed from South Bend flight charged with intoxication
A flight attendant on a Chicago-to-South Bend flight has been charged with public intoxication. Forty-nine-year-old Julianne March of Waukesha, Wisconsin, faces an Aug. 29 initial hearing after being charged Thursday.
Assault charge filed against LaPorte woman in plane incident
An Indiana woman accused of attacking a Delta Air Lines crew is moving toward a guilty plea in Detroit federal court. In a new court filing, Camille Krueger of LaPorte is charged with head-butting and spitting on federal officers who were removing her from a Germany-to-Detroit flight last January.