The US Transportation Department on Monday announced new rules that prevent airlines stranding passengers on tarmacs for more than three hours.

Airlines will face a fine of $27,500 per passenger if they violate the rule.

The new rules, announced by the Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, also require airlines to provide its stranded passengers with water, food, bathrooms and medical attention (if necessary) within the first two hours of being wedged.

Airlines will also have to give a chance to its passengers to deplane by the third hour.

Figures released by the US Department of Transportation shows that more than 100,000 passengers had to remain stranded on grounded planes for three or more hour during last year.

The new rules are scheduled to come into effect from March next year.