Schumer: Those, Like Kuwait Airways, Who Choose to Run a Business in America Must Play by American Rules, Which Prohibit Discrimination By Air Carriers on Basis of National Origin

Statement

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that, following his call for an investigation into the matter, the federal Department of Transportation (DOT) has found that Kuwait Airways has been discriminating against Israeli passengers. In 2013, Schumer wrote to the DOT after an Israeli citizen was not permitted to book a Kuwait Airways flight from New York City to London because the airline does not recognize Israel. Schumer said that, in the case of Kuwait Airways, the DOT should issue a fine for discriminating against the Israeli individual. Specifically, Schumer said that the DOT should fine any airline that refuses to fly a person from America to a country that they have legal right to enter. Federal law prohibits discrimination by air carriers on the basis of national origin, however, this policy is not always enforced. Schumer said he is pleased with the outcome of this investigation, however, he is deeply disturbed by Kuwait Airways' unlawful discrimination of passengers.

"American law prohibits discrimination by air carriers on the basis of national origin and yet, that's exactly what Kuwait Airlines did when they refused to transport an Israeli citizen from New York to London," said Schumer. "Now that the Department of Transportation has concluded that Kuwait Airways is discriminating and in violation of American law, the feds should make sure the airline is punished to the fullest extent possible. Those, like Kuwait Airways, who choose to run a business in America must play by American rules, which explicitly prohibits discrimination by air carriers on basis of national origin."

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