Emirates Fined $1.5 Million by US for Flying in Prohibited Airspace

The U.S. Transportation Department has imposed a $1.5 million fine on Emirates for unauthorized flights into restricted airspace. The fine pertains to several flights carrying the JetBlue Airways code that flew between the United Arab Emirates and the United States from December 2021 to August 2022, violating Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.

This sanction follows a previous 2020 consent order where Emirates was fined for similar violations, highlighting ongoing concerns with the airline’s adherence to FAA directives. Under the 2020 order, Emirates was mandated to pay $200,000 immediately, with an additional $200,000 penalty if the airline breached the order within a year.

According to the U.S. Transportation Department, the flights in question traveled through the Baghdad Flight Information Region at altitudes prohibited by the FAA, which restricts all U.S. air carriers and commercial operators from flying in that airspace without special authorization. The current penalty could increase by another $300,000 if Emirates commits further infractions within the next year.

In response to the fines, an Emirates spokesperson stated that the flights had intended to operate above the restricted levels but were directed by air traffic control to fly lower, leading the pilots to comply with these instructions for safety reasons. The spokesperson emphasized that this compliance was in line with international aviation safety regulations.

JetBlue, which had a codeshare agreement with Emirates that ended in 2022, has declined to comment on the issue.

Emirates reassured the U.S. Department of Transportation that the airline prioritizes the safety of its passengers and crew above all and that any deviation from the allowed flight levels was based on directives from air traffic controllers, sometimes necessary to avoid potential collisions.

The airline also stressed that its pilots are legally required to adhere to air traffic control instructions, and failing to follow such directives could significantly compromise flight safety. According to Emirates, their flights no longer use U.S. carrier codes when flying over Iraqi airspace, indicating a compliance adjustment following the repeated fines.