JetBlue fined $2 million by US government for ‘illegal chronic flight delays’

It is the first time the US government has fined an airline for delays on specific routes - (Getty Images)

The Transportation Department said Friday it will hit JetBlue Airways with a $2 million penalty for chronically late flights along the East Coast, and half the money will go to passengers who were delayed.

The agency said it’s the first time it has fined an airline for chronic delays on specific routes, which it blamed on “unrealistic scheduling” by JetBlue.