The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently conducting an investigation into Southwest Airlines following a series of safety incidents that have occurred in recent months. This heightened scrutiny was first reported by The Wall Street Journal and has since been confirmed by both the FAA and the airline itself.
In a statement, the FAA emphasized that the increased oversight of Southwest Airlines is aimed at ensuring the carrier’s compliance with federal safety regulations. The agency made it clear that safety considerations will dictate the pace of the investigation.
Southwest Airlines has expressed its willingness to collaborate with the FAA throughout the investigative process. A spokesperson for the airline stated that they have established a specialized team comprising experts and leaders from Southwest, union partners, and the FAA. This team is tasked with conducting a detailed, data-driven analysis to pinpoint areas where safety improvements can be made.
This move by the FAA to intensify its oversight of airlines comes in the aftermath of various safety incidents within the industry. For instance, in March, the FAA announced heightened monitoring of United Airlines following a string of close calls and other safety-related issues.
The focus on Southwest Airlines follows incidents where multiple planes came close to the ground during landing preparations, coinciding with the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) ongoing investigation into a Dutch roll incident that occurred in June.
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