STEVE INSKEEP, host: NPR's business news starts with a record fine for American Airlines.</s>STEVE INSKEEP, host: Federal Aviation watchdogs may impose a fine of more than $25 million on American Airlines. That's according to today's Wall Street Journal. The penalty would be the largest in U.S. aviation history. It's for maintenance lapses that forced the airline to ground hundreds of MD-80 jets in the spring of 2008. The resulting flight cancellations infuriated passengers and lawmakers.</s>STEVE INSKEEP, host: A government fine or a settlement would end two years of tension between the airline and regulators.
A published report says federal officials are ready to hit American Airlines with a record penalty of $25 million or more for maintenance shortcomings. The problems led to thousands of canceled flights in 2008. The Wall Street Journal reports the FAA hasn't made a final decision or informed American. The airline says no action is warranted.