United Continental Holdings Inc was slapped fines amounting to USD1.1 million by US regulatory authorities for stranding passengers inside planes while parked at O'Hare International Airport at Chicago, IL. This was the largest penalty since the rules were imposed in 2010.

Thirteen flights of United with 939 passengers on board were delayed on the ground for more than the three hour limit during thunderstorms. This effectively held back traffic in the second busiest airport in the United States last July 13, 2012. The report of the Department of Transportation found that two of the planes did not have working restrooms, according to the consent order that was issued to the firm yesterday.

According to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said, "It is unacceptable for passengers to be stranded in planes on the tarmac for hours on end." Previously, a USD900,000 fine was imposed upon AMR Corp's American Eagle back in 2011, also for delays that occurred in the same airport. At the time, this was the highest fine paid vor violation of the tarmac rule.