The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a $165,000 civil penalty against Alaska Airlines. The airline is accused of allowing intoxicated passengers to board flights on 11 occasions between February 2024 and February 2025. Federal regulations prohibit airlines from permitting passengers who appear intoxicated to board due to potential safety risks.

FAA’s Allegations and Alaska Airlines’ Response

According to the FAA, Alaska Airlines violated these regulations multiple times over the course of a year. In response, Alaska Airlines stated that it fully cooperated with an FAA audit that examined its policies and practices regarding intoxicated passengers. The airline has since implemented “meaningful changes,” including enhanced training for flight attendants and customer service agents, to prevent future incidents.

“We respect the results of the FAA’s audit and are confident in the changes that have been in place for the last year to ensure our shared standards are being met,” the airline said in a statement to Alaska Public Media.

Next Steps for Alaska Airlines

The FAA announced the proposed penalty and stated that Alaska Airlines has 30 days to respond to the enforcement letter. The airline can choose to dispute the allegations, negotiate with the agency, or pay the proposed penalty. Failure to respond within the 30-day window could result in the airline losing the opportunity to challenge the fine.

As of now, Alaska Airlines has not indicated whether it plans to contest the proposed penalty. The situation underscores the importance of adhering to federal safety regulations and the potential consequences of non-compliance.

Original reporting: WTOL Toledo — read the source article.