The largest-ever penalty for violating consumer protections.
The Department of Transportation has issued a civil penalty against Southwest Airlines, requiring the company to pay $140 million for canceling 16,900 flights over the 2022 holiday season. This event, caused by multiple operational failures, resulted in over 2 million passengers becoming stranded at airports during Christmas and into the New Year.
The penalty was imposed on top of the $600 million in refunds and reimbursements that Southwest was required to pay to passengers affected by this operational meltdown.
“Taking care of passengers is not just the right thing to do — it’s required, and this penalty should put all airlines on notice to take every step possible to ensure that a meltdown like this never happens again,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. He added that this “sets a new precedent and sends a clear message: if airlines fail their passengers, we will use the full extent of our authority to hold them accountable.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Buttigieg to be prudent as he heads the Transportation Department.
- For Administrator Michael Whitaker as he oversees the Federal Aviation Administration.
- For the safety of air travelers this Christmas season.
Sources: Department of Transportation
