US Transportation Dept. investigating Southwest vacation journey meltdown

The US Transportation Division stated it’s within the early levels of an investigation into the Southwest Airways vacation journey meltdown in December.

The probe contains an examination of whether or not Southwest is scheduling extra flights than it might probably deal with.

“DOT is within the preliminary section of a rigorous and complete investigation into Southwest Airways’ vacation debacle that stranded thousands and thousands,” a spokesperson for the division stated.

The airline, America’s largest home provider, canceled greater than 16,700 flights between December 21 and 29. Southwest estimates the price of these cancellations will likely be someplace between $725 million and $825 miilion. A bit greater than half the associated fee — between $400 million and $425 million — will come from misplaced ticket income that will likely be refunded to clients.

A lot of the remaining is for compensation to the shoppers for buying flights on different airways, and for a bonus 25,000 factors in its frequent flier program. Numerous Southwest workers may also obtain further “gratitude” pay for working by the meltdown.

“DOT has made clear to Southwest that it should present well timed refunds and reimbursements and can maintain Southwest accountable if it fails to take action. DOT can be probing whether or not Southwest executives engaged in unrealistic scheduling of flights which beneath federal regulation is taken into account an unfair and misleading follow. DOT will leverage the total extent of its investigative and enforcement energy to make sure shoppers are protected and this course of will proceed to evolve because the Division learns extra,” the spokesperson stated.

Southwest stated it’s cooperating with the investigation.

“Our vacation flight schedule was thoughtfully designed and provided to our clients with the backing of a strong plan to function it, and with ample staffing,” stated the airline’s assertion. “Our programs and processes grew to become pressured whereas working to get better from a number of days of flight cancelations throughout 50 airports within the wake of an unprecedented storm. We’re acutely centered on studying from this occasion, mitigating the danger of a repeat prevalence, and delivering the hospitality and excellent service our clients count on from us.”

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg beforehand stated the division “will use the fullest extent of its investigative and enforcement powers” if the airline doesn’t comply with by on reimbursing vacationers for his or her additional bills.

– CNN’s Chris Isidore contributed to this report