Denver-based ultra-low-cost-carrier Frontier Airlines has filed a lawsuit against Fort Worth-based American Airlines seeking damages as detailed by AirGuide, for more than $100,000 following the ground collision on March 7, 2024, which saw a Boeing 777-300ER operated by AA that was re-boarding from the gate, and struck the vertical stabilizer of Frontier’s parked Airbus A321neo.

The incident, which occurred at Miami International Airport (MIA), saw Frontier Airlines 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’, which saw the negligent training and supervision that led to the incident.

March 7, 2024

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On March 7, 2024, the 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, the 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 encroached mandated required safety buffer, which saw the widebody aircraft strike the vertical stabilizer on Frontiers 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 but 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

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Included in the claim was that Frontier alleges the American Airlines aircraft undertook an ‘out of compliance’ maneuver, which saw the widebody encroach the mandated safety buffer zone, which 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 two aircraft involved are detailed below with data from ch-aviation:

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, thus the latest lawsuit seeks compensation which amounts to the lost time and use of the aircraft, lost profits forecasted from those six months dowtime, operational distruptions, and the required lease payments that Frontier were required to repay during the aircrafts time on the ground.

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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

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‘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, saw the AA 777-223ER pull into the gate at BOS, and its right-hand wing struck the Frontier Airlines A321-271NX left-hand winglet.

Following these concerns, F9 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 found, they could carry wider implications that include ground handling standard improvements and clearer liability for incidents that occur at gate allocations across US airports.