USDOT Fines Air Canada $250,000 for Operating Flights over Iraqi airspace

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has imposed a fine of $250,000 on Air Canada for operating flights that carried United Airlines’ designator code over regions where the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had prohibited U.S. operators from flying.

The airline has been ordered to cease such violations moving forward. An investigation conducted by the DOT’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) found that between October 2022 and January 2023.

Air Canada operated multiple flights with the United Airlines code between the United Arab Emirates and Canada, specifically in airspace that was off-limits to U.S. operators. Alarmingly, some of these flights continued even after the OACP had issued an investigation letter to Air Canada regarding the matter.

By operating these flights in this manner, Air Canada not only violated the conditions of its operating authority but also engaged in air transportation without the necessary DOT authorization.

For further details, the consent order can be accessed at www.regulations.gov, under docket number DOT-OST-2024-0001.