New York CNN —Lufthansa, Germany’s biggest airline, has been fined a record $4 million for discriminating against Jewish passengers, the US Department of Transportation announced Tuesday. The fine stems from a May 2022 incident in which the airline prohibited 128 Jewish passengers from boarding. The crew said that some passengers obstructed flight attendants in economy class from its on-board food and beverage service, “inconvenienced other passengers” and argued with the crew about wearing masks. The DOT said that Tuesday’s penalty is its largest ever issued by the federal agency for civil rights violations. “No one should face discrimination when they travel, and today’s action sends a clear message to the airline industry that we are prepared to investigate and take action whenever passengers’ civil rights are violated,” said US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in the release.

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Persons: ”, “, Pete Buttigieg, Lufthsansa Organizations: New, New York CNN, Lufthansa, Germany’s, US Department of Transportation, DOT, CNN, American Jewish Committee Locations: New York, Frankfurt, Budapest