The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Tuesday that it has heightened its oversight of Southwest Airlines in response to a string of concerning incidents involving the airline's planes. These incidents included flying at very low altitudes while still several miles away from airports.
An FAA spokesperson stated that the agency has ramped up its monitoring of Southwest Airlines to ensure compliance with federal safety regulations, with a focus on prioritizing safety above all else.
While specific details were not disclosed by the FAA, it emphasized that its oversight of airlines is continuously adjusted based on risk assessments.
Southwest Airlines confirmed that it is collaborating closely with the FAA and has established a team comprising individuals from the airline, its union, and the FAA to enhance its safety-management system.
FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker has taken several measures to address safety concerns within the aviation industry, particularly following an incident involving a Boeing 737 Max aircraft operated by Alaska Airlines earlier this year.
Southwest Airlines has been involved in multiple incidents recently, including instances where its jets flew at unusually low altitudes before reaching their intended airports in Oklahoma and Florida. Additionally, a Southwest jet mistakenly took off from a closed runway in Maine.
In a separate incident, a Southwest jet experienced a rapid descent off the coast of Hawaii, coming within 400 feet of the ocean surface before recovering. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating another incident involving a Southwest jet that exhibited an unusual flight pattern and was found to have tail damage after being exposed to severe weather conditions.
Fortunately, none of these events resulted in injuries. The FAA's decision to increase oversight was initially reported by The Wall Street Journal.
