Cancellation of Southwest Airlines flights is unacceptable-USDOT
2022.12.27 01:25
Cancellation of Southwest Airlines flights is unacceptable-USDOT
Budrigannews.com – Late on Monday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) stated that it would investigate the numerous Southwest Airlines (NYSE:) “unacceptable” cancellations and delays of flights in recent days to determine whether they were within the airline’s control.
According to flight tracking website FlightAware, Southwest canceled 2,886 flights on Monday, or 70% of scheduled flights, after canceling 48% on Sunday. Additionally, it has already postponed 60%, or over 2,400, of its scheduled Tuesday flights.
According to the department, “USDOT is concerned by Southwest Airlines’ disproportionate and unacceptable rate of cancellations and delays” as well as the company’s “failure to properly support customers experiencing a cancellation or delay.”
It said it would “intently look at whether undoings were controllable and whether Southwest is consenting to its client care plan as well as any remaining appropriate Dab rules.”
On Sunday, 48% and 16% of flights were delayed by Southwest.
“With consecutive days of extreme winter weather across our network behind us, continuing challenges are impacting our customers and employees in a significant way that is unacceptable,” according to a statement Southwest issued earlier offering “heartfelt apologies.” Although Southwest declined to comment late on Monday on the USDOT statement, it did point to that statement.
“To urgently address wide-scale disruption by rebalancing the airline and repositioning crews and our fleet ultimately to best serve all who plan to travel with us,” the airline added.
In recent days, other major U.S. airlines experienced significant cancellations, but not nearly as frequently as Southwest, and they have since mostly recovered.
Monday, the US Department of Transportation cited Southwest Airlines’ customer service plan, which states that the airline will provide vouchers for meals or hotels in the event of extended delays caused by circumstances within its control, but not for unforeseen circumstances like weather.
Major U.S. airlines, including Southwest, informed the USDOT in August that they would promise to provide hotel accommodations for stranded passengers and meals for customers who were delayed by three hours in the event of airline-related issues.
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In the past, numerous airlines provided vouchers or hotel accommodations for delays they caused, but their customer service plans did not specify all commitments.
