The Department of Transportation has fined Lufthansa and sister airline Swiss for operating United codeshare flights in prohibited airspace over Baghdad, Iraq.
Lufthansa was fined $220,000, Swiss $200,000. Half of the fines will be forgiven if the airlines commit no further violations over the next year. Both airlines have signed consent agreements accepting the fines.
Under an FAA regulation that was last extended in October 2020, U.S. airlines are not permitted to fly below 32,000 feet while flying through Baghdad airspace. The rule also applies to foreign carriers on flights with U.S. airline codeshares.
Lufthansa’s violations occurred between March 2022 and April 2024, the DOT said in the Dec. 30 order. Swiss’ violations took place between February 2022 and March 2024.
Per the order, both airlines contend that in the instances of violation they had filed flight plans in accordance with the FAA regulation but had been unable to fly at the required altitude because they did not receive authorization to from local air traffic controllers in the tight air corridors over Baghdad. Both said safety was not compromised and that they have implemented procedures to enhance pilot awareness and compliance with the regulation.
The actions against Lufthansa and Swiss bring to six the total of fines the DOT levied this year against foreign airlines for violations of FAA airspace regulations on codeshare flights.
The DOT previously levied fines of $1.8 million against Emirates, $400,000 against Etihad and $250,000 against Air Canada for flying too low over Baghdad. The department also fined Ethiopian Airlines $425,000 for violating FAA rules on flying over Somalia.