ALBAWABA – Lufthansa, the flag carrier of Germany, paid a total amount $4 million. The US Department of Transportation stated that the German airline agreed to pay the amount over allegations of discrimination against Jewish passengers, according to Reuters.
Lufthansa pays $4M
Lufthansa agreed to pay a $4 million fine over allegations of discrimination against Jewish passengers attempting to board in Frankfurt in May 2022, according to the US Department of Transportation.
As per the department and Reuters, Lufthansa denied boarding to 128 Jewish passengers wearing Orthodox Jewish attire due to reported misconduct. The affected passengers stated that they did not know each other and were all traveling from New York to Budapest through Germany.
Pete Buttigieg, United States Secretary of Transportation, stated: “No one should face discrimination when they travel, and today’s action sends a clear message to the airline industry that we are prepared to investigate and take action whenever passengers’ civil rights are violated.”
The German airline denied any wrongdoing, asserting that no discriminatory acts occurred and explaining that over 60 passengers disregarded crew instructions. (Shutterstock)
Lufthansa agreed to pay a total fine of $2 million, with the Transportation Department stating it would provide an additional $2 million in compensation to the affected passengers.
The German airline denied any wrongdoing, asserting that no discriminatory acts occurred and explaining that over 60 passengers disregarded crew instructions.
It is worth noting that this marks the largest penalty imposed on an airline for civil rights violations. However, Lufthansa stated that, following the incident, it collaborated with the Department of Transportation and the American Jewish Committee to launch training programs highlighting anti-Semitism and discrimination.
