A Southwest Airlines plane takes off as another Southwest Airlines jet taxi in Burbank, California. Mario Tama/Getty Images Hide Caption
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The Department of Transportation is suing Southwest Airlines for illegally delaying certain routes for months.
The agency said Wednesday that Southwest Airlines had 180 disruptions and “chronically delayed” flights between April and August 2022 on routes between Chicago and Oakland, Calif., and Baltimore and Cleveland. did.
The DOT defines a “chronically delayed” flight as one that “flies at least 10 times per month and arrives more than 30 minutes late more than 50% of the time.”
Interruptions include cancellations and diversions.
Southwest Airlines was not initially available for comment, but told The Associated Press, “Since the DOT issued its chronically delayed flight (CDF) policy in 2009, Southwest Airlines has operated more than 20 million flights. “There were no other CDF violations.” The airline added: “Compared to our track record over the past 15 years, claims that these two flights are unrealistic schedules are completely unreliable. In 2024, Southwest Airlines will operate more than 99% of its flights without cancellations. ”, leading the industry.”
Airlines that advertise flights at specific times but are chronically delayed are deceiving customers and preventing fair competition, the Department of Transportation says.
The agency gives airlines time to fix chronically delayed routes, but Southwest Airlines said it did not take advantage of the grace period. It is seeking the “maximum civil penalty” against Southwest.
Additionally, the Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that it has imposed a $650,000 civil penalty on Frontier Airlines for operating three chronically delayed flights between St. Thomas and Orlando, Florida. Atlanta and Phoenix. And Houston and Orlando. Half must be paid to the U.S. Treasury, but the other half could be waived if airlines do not operate chronically delayed flights over the next three years.
“Airlines have a legal obligation to ensure flight schedules that provide travelers with realistic departure and arrival times,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Today’s action sends a message to all airlines that the Department is prepared to go to court to ensure passenger protections.”
