Delta and AirTrans fined for breaking price advertising rules

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The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued fines against AirTrans Airways and Delta Air Lines for violating federal rules about advertising ticket prices.

AirTrans was fined $20,000 and Delta was fined $40,000, according to the agency.

AirTrans was fined for advertising a 72-hour sale that was to include $39 one-way fares. A DOT investigation found that no seats were available for $39 and the cheapest were $44.

Delta was fined for failing to adequately outline and explain the nature of fees and taxes that are charged in addition to the base fare of a ticket, according to the agency. A Delta spokesman said the airline feels it complied with the law but agreed to pay the fine to avoid litigation. An AirTrans representative could not be reached for comment.

-- Hugo Martin