Denver-based ultra-low-cost-carrier Frontier Airlines has filed a lawsuit against Fort Worth-based American Airlines. Frontier is seeking damages, as detailed by AirGuide, for more than $100,000 following the ground collision on March 7, 2024. The incident saw a Boeing 777-300ER operated by AA that was re-boarding from the gate strike the vertical stabilizer of Frontier’s parked Airbus A321neo.
The incident, which occurred at Miami International Airport (MIA), saw the Frontier jet be removed from service for more than six months while repairs were undertaken. In the lawsuit, which was filed in the District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the plaintiff has accused the oneworld carrier (AA) of ‘gross negligence,’ with negligent training and supervision having led to the incident.
What Happpened On March 7, 2024?
Credit: Shutterstock
On March 7, 2024, an American Airlines 777-300ER was set to depart from Miami destined for São Paulo/Guarulhos–Governor André Franco Montoro International Airport (GRU). The aircraft was positioned in what was deemed a ‘narrow alleyway’, which saw aircraft parked to either side of the widebody. At the time, a Frontier Airbus A321neo was parked at the gate and was under a ground delay program at the time.
As the American Airlines aircraft pushed back, it is believed that the Boeing 777 violated the mandated required safety buffer, which saw the widebody aircraft strike the vertical stabilizer on Frontier’s A321neo. Following the incident, the Frontier plane was subsequently removed from service, and this prolonged grounding of the aircraft led to lost revenue and continued lease payments.
The aircraft’s removal from service caused significant financial losses to Frontier, which stretched beyond just the direct repair costs for the aircraft. Indeed, there was also the lost revenue, profits, and required repayments for the plane, even though it was unable to be scheduled for regular service.
Conducted In An ‘Out Of Compliance’ Manner
Credit: Shutterstock
Included in the claim was that Frontier alleges the American Airlines aircraft undertook an ‘out of compliance’ maneuver, which saw the widebody violate the mandated safety buffer zone and resulted in the aircraft striking the Frontier plane. Following the collision, it caused structural damage to the aircraft’s tail, which, following an inspection from European aircraft manufacturer Airbus, was deemed beyond repair.
The aircraft, during its time out of service, saw the damaged component completely removed and subsequently replaced. This process saw the A321neo out of action for more than six months and returned to regular service in September 2024, after the peak summer travel season. The particulars of the two aircraft involved are detailed in the table below, per data from ch-aviation.
Carrier
American Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Aircraft Registration
N736AT
N630FR
Aircraft Type
Boeing 777-323ER
Airbus A321-271NX
Serial Number
33538
11642
First Flight Date
February 18, 2016
October 20, 2023
Delivery Date
March 1, 2016
October 12, 2023
While American Airlines did agree to cover the direct costs which came out of the incident, the airlines did not reach a settlement which encompassed additional damages. As such, the latest lawsuit seeks compensation which amounts to the lost time and use of the aircraft, lost profits forecasted from those six months of downtime, and the subsequent operational disruptions. It also covers the required lease payments that Frontier were required to repay during the aircraft’s time on the ground.
Related
American Airlines Boeing 777-300ER Hits Frontier Airlines Airbus A321neo At Miami International Airport
The planes will likely be grounded for weeks for necessary repairs.
Additional Concerns Raised
Credit: Shutterstock
‘Broader safety concerns’ have also been raised by Frontier in the lawsuit, pressing American Airlines to review other ground collision incidents, such as a Frontier vs American incident that occurred at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), also in 2024. The incident, which occurred on November 25 of that year, saw the AA 777-200ER pull into the gate at BOS, where its right-hand wing struck the Frontier Airlines A321neo’s left-hand winglet.
Following these concerns, Frontier believes AA needs to be placed ‘on notice for systemic deficiencies’. American Airlines has yet to file a formal response to these allegations and the latest lawsuit. It is believed that whatever the outcomes of the case are, they could carry wider implications that include ground handling standard improvements and clearer liability for incidents that occur at gate allocations across US airports.
