The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) fined the German airline Lufthansa $50,000 for limiting reimbursements for delayed baggage to less than consumers were entitled under the Montreal Convention.Based on a consumer complaint, the Department’s Aviation Enforcement Office investigated Lufthansa’s handling of claims for delayed baggage and found that the carrier was limiting reimbursement to 50 percent of the claimed expense in a number of instances for flights to and from the United States. The Enforcement Office also found that Lufthansa had sent letters to passengers with baggage delay claims stating that the carrier would reimburse only 50 percent of the cost of clothing items.The DOT and Lufthansa settled on a $50,000 penalty in order to avoid litigation.Source: DOT press release 71-11 of June 17, 2011The consent order is available on the Internet at www.regulations.gov, docket DOT-OST-2011-0003.
