British Airways Sues Over $228K Damage to 747-400 in Chicago
British Airways is suing a ground handling company in New York after alleging that one of its workers, who was high on marijuana, caused more than $228,000 in damage to a Boeing 747-400 at Chicago O’Hare Airport. The incident occurred in September 2019, but after years of unsuccessful attempts to recover costs, BA has now taken legal action.
According to court filings, the accident happened while the aircraft was undergoing minor maintenance before its scheduled return to London Heathrow as flight BA294. The airline claims that a worker from Ground Services International (GSI), a subsidiary of Dubai-based Dnata, drove mobile airstairs into the jet’s right wing, causing “significant and noticeable” damage.
Rather than immediately reporting the incident, the worker allegedly walked away, leaving the airline to discover the damage later. Subsequent testing revealed the employee had used cannabis. British Airways was forced to cancel the flight, ground the aircraft for repairs, and cover hotel stays, rebookings, and compensation for disrupted passengers.
The total cost of repairs and related expenses reached $228,028, according to the lawsuit. BA is also seeking damages for lost revenue, reduced fleet capacity, hangar and towing fees, and legal costs.
The airline, which retired its entire 747-400 fleet in 2020 during the pandemic, has a record of pursuing compensation for damage. Earlier this year, BA sued Boston Logan Airport’s operator after faulty ground equipment disabled an Airbus A380, eventually reaching an out-of-court settlement.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, paddleyourownkanoo.com