DOT watchdog scrutinizes FAA oversight of Southwest Airlines
The Transportation Department is conducting an extra layer of scrutiny into safety and maintenance procedures at Southwest Airlines by reviewing the FAA’s current oversight of the airline.
It comes after the April accident when a Southwest Airlines flight suffered a catastrophic engine malfunction which caused the death of one passenger.
The DOT Inspector General will look into the relationship between the FAA and the airline amid allegations the relationship between the two has gotten too cozy.
The DOT audit will focus on the actions of the FAA’s office in Dallas, where Southwest is based.
There have been previous allegations that safety concerns about Southwest maintenance issues were ignored by FAA officials.
"Recent events have raised concerns about FAA’s safety oversight, particularly for Southwest Airlines," the DOT Inspector General said in a statement.
The DOT launched a similar review of the FAA’s oversight of Allegiant and American Airlines last month.
Southwest said it has ‘a very transparent and professional relationship with the Federal Aviation Administration.’
"Our absolute goal at Southwest is to meet or exceed every requirement of our safety management system, and we believe we are held accountable to that goal by the FAA. That said, we are always seeking new ways to strengthen our practices."
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
All eyes on Qatar as Qatar Airways leads a season of global events