The Transportation Department has decided it’s time to get tough with airlines over repeated flight delays, and Southwest and Frontier are at the center of the latest crackdown.
On Wednesday, the agency filed a lawsuit against Southwest Airlines in California, accusing the carrier of repeatedly scheduling flights it knew would likely be delayed, leaving passengers frustrated and travel plans in shambles. Officials say they’re pushing for the maximum fines allowed.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg made it clear that airlines have a responsibility to create realistic schedules for travelers. “This action shows we’re serious about protecting passengers’ rights,” he said.
The investigation revealed that two Southwest flights were especially problematic: one route between Chicago Midway and Oakland, California, and another between Baltimore, Maryland, and Cleveland, Ohio. For five straight months, these flights experienced chronic delays, causing 180 disruptions between April and August 2022.
Frontier Airlines is also feeling the heat. The department slapped them with a $650,000 fine for chronic delays. Half of that fine could be waived if Frontier avoids similar issues over the next three years.
This isn’t the first time the department has taken action recently. Just weeks ago, JetBlue was fined $2 million for scheduling flights with unrealistic timing, which caused repeated delays. JetBlue, however, argued that the government-run air traffic control system shares some of the blame.
Southwest’s reputation has taken a hit lately. In a report from aviation data provider Cirium, Southwest ranked fifth out of ten North American airlines for on-time performance in 2022, with only 77.8% of its flights arriving as scheduled. Delta Air Lines topped the list with 83.5% on-time arrivals.
To make matters worse, federal regulators have been keeping a close eye on Southwest after a string of concerning incidents, including flights operating at alarmingly low altitudes. While the Federal Aviation Administration hasn’t shared specifics, they’re ramping up their oversight to ensure the airline is following safety rules.
For passengers, this renewed focus on accountability offers hope that airlines will prioritize reliable service and safety moving forward.