Southwest Airlines Launches Probe into Flight Disruptions | Aviation International News

Southwest Airlines Launches Probe into Flight Disruptions

An unusual number of maintenance-related flight cancellations and delays continue to dog the U.S. low-fare carrier.

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737s project a dominant presence at McCarran Airport in Las Vegas. (Photo: Flickr: Creative Commons (BY-SA) by TDelCoro)

By Gregory Polek • Senior Editor

February 20, 2019

Southwest Airlines said it would launch an investigation into whether or not some of its mechanics conspired to cause flight disruptions in retaliation for the airline’s refusal to meet certain demands during mediated contract negotiations. In a statement issued late Tuesday, Southwest Airlines chief operating officer Mike Van de Ven reported that on February 12 the airline suffered what he called an unprecedented number of airplanes pulled from service in four of 20 maintenance locations despite no change in maintenance programs, leadership, or policies and procedures.

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