Washington - The US Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday proposed fines against American Airlines of 7.1 million dollars for safety violations and drug and alcohol testing violations.

The FAA accused the airline of returning aircraft to service after problems had been reported, including flying two planes 58 times in December after delaying repairs.

The MD-83 planes, had problems with their autopilots systems. The airline should pay a fine of 4.4 million dollars for those violations, the FAA said.

"The FAA believes the large total amount of the fine for these violations is appropriate because American Airlines was aware that appropriate repairs were needed, and instead deferred maintenance," the agency said in a statement. "In intentionally continuing to fly the aircraft, the carrier did not follow important safety regulations intended to protect passengers and crew."

The airline should also pay 2.7 million dollars for "alleged past deficiencies" in its drug and alcohol testing and for flying planes without inspecting emergency exit lighting.

American will be able to respond to the proposed fines.