FAA Proposes Fine Against American for Security Violations

WASHINGTON-The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) announced today that it is seeking
$99,000 in civil penalties against American Airlines for allegedly
failing to apply appropriate security measures on six flights last
year.

FAA special agents discovered the alleged violations on June 25,
2000, during an assessment of American's passenger
pre-screening and checked baggage security. During the
inspections, FAA special agents found that American improperly
transported unaccompanied bags on five flights, failed to perform
a passenger ID check on two flights, and failed to ask appropriate
security questions regarding checked bags on two flights. The
flights involved went from Boston Logan International Airport to
Chicago O'Hare International Airport; Ronald Reagan National
Airport to Miami International Airport; Denver International Airport
to Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport; San Diego International
Airport to Reno Tahoe International Airport, Nev.; San Jose
International Airport, Calif., to Los Angeles International Airport;
and Lambert St. Louis International Airport to Chicago O'Hare.

Upon notification, American took immediate corrective action at
the airports where violations were found in order to bring the
airline's security measures into compliance.

The announcement of the civil penalty proposed today is being
made in accordance with the FAA's policy of releasing information
to the public on enforcement actions that involve penalties of
$50,000 or more. The details of this action could not be made
public earlier, however, because the March 21, 1997, Sensitive
Security Information rule states the agency will not release such
information for 12 months after the event occurs to avoid
divulging potential vulnerabilities in the aviation system.