The Department of Transportation singled out Southwest Airlines in a statement criticizing the airline industry’s inability to cope with recent widespread flight delays and cancellations over the holidays.
Southwest has received intense flak due to travel disruptions brought about by a deadly winter storm, which has resulted in tens of thousands of flights being canceled or delayed. A disproportionate number of canceled and delayed flights were from Southwest, resulting in the department turning its ire on the airline company.
DOT ‘CONCERNED’ BY SOUTHWEST AIRLINE’S ‘UNACCEPTABLE’ FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS
“The rate of cancellations and delays on Southwest Airlines is unacceptable and dramatically higher than other U.S. carriers. This afternoon, Secretary Buttigieg spoke with the CEO of Southwest Airlines and conveyed that he expects the airline to live up to the commitments it has made to passengers, including providing meal vouchers, refunds, and hotel accommodations for those experiencing significant delays or cancellations that came about as a result of Southwest’s decisions and actions. Southwest, as all airlines, is also obligated to provide a cash refund for passengers whose flights were canceled and decided not to travel,” a Transportation spokesman said.
“The Secretary also spoke with union leaders that represent Southwest’s flight attendants and pilots. They conveyed to him that many flight attendants and pilots are stranded alongside passengers, sleeping on cots or having to book their own hotel rooms. He also conveyed to Southwest’s CEO that he expects Southwest to do right by their pilots and flight attendants — and all their workers — in these situations,” he added.
“The Department will take action to hold Southwest accountable if it fails to fulfill its obligations, and we will stay engaged with Southwest Airlines to make sure the airline does not allow a situation like this to happen again,” he concluded.
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The department announced on Monday that it was “concerned” by Southwest’s “unacceptable” flight cancellations and would be investigating the company.
Southwest canceled 2,476 flights on Tuesday, equivalent to 61% of all its total flights on that day, according to Flight Aware.
