Washington ( CNN ) -- The U.S. government on Wednesday imposed its first fine on an international carrier for keeping passengers aboard a plane during an extended ground delay , slapping a $ 150,000 penalty on Pakistan International Airlines . The Transportation Department said the airline violated its time limit for overseas flights held on the tarmac for weather , mechanical or other problems . They must give passengers a chance to exit the aircraft after four hours in most cases . `` Passengers deserve to be treated with respect when they fly , and DOT 's tarmac delay rules were put into place to ensure that they receive that respect , '' Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement . PIA Flight 711 was enroute to New York 's John F. Kennedy airport from Manchester , England , when diverted to Washington 's Dulles airport last October 29 due to inoperable instrument landing equipment in New York , which had been hit by a surprise snowstorm . The plane sat on the tarmac for nearly five hours , according to transportation officials , who alleged PIA made no effort to let passengers off or ask airport officials for help . The captain and first officer got off the plane and inspected the aircraft , the agency said . But passengers were not given the opportunity to leave because the airline thought the bad weather was too risky for them to exit via stairs . Compounding the airline 's concerns were multiple passengers in wheel chairs and small children who were aboard . The surprise snowstorm stranded passengers throughout the Northeast on a number of domestic airlines , including several flights that tested federal ground delay rules . A consumer protection regulation established in 2010 under pressure from consumer advocates and Congress requires domestic airlines to give passengers a chance to deplane if a ground delay exceeds three hours . The rule was extended last year for international flights , imposing a four-hour limit . Airlines have dramatically cut lengthy ground delays since the rules were finalized as carriers will now cancel flights rather than risk fines . The rules allow exceptions for security or safety .
Pakistan International Airlines fine is first against international airline for long ground delay . Transportation Department flight diverted due to freak last year storm in Northeast . Crew concerned letting passengers off plane in bad weather was too risky .