WASHINGTON, Jan 3 (Reuters) - The U.S. Transportation

Department said Friday it was imposing a $2 million penalty

against JetBlue Airways ( JBLU ) for operating multiple

chronically delayed flights.

The department said it was the first time it had fined an

airline for chronic flight delays, a prohibited scheduling

practice. USDOT said JetBlue ( JBLU ) will pay a $1 million fine and the

remainder will go to compensate JetBlue ( JBLU ) customers affected by

the airline's chronic delays or any future disruptions caused by

JetBlue ( JBLU ) within the next year.