Act Daily News
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The US Transportation Department mentioned it’s within the early levels of an investigation into the Southwest Airlines vacation journey meltdown in December.
The probe contains an examination of whether or not Southwest is scheduling extra flights than it may possibly deal with.
“DOT is in the initial phase of a rigorous and comprehensive investigation into Southwest Airlines’ holiday debacle that stranded millions,” a spokesperson for the division mentioned.
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 shall 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 shall be refunded to clients.
“DOT has made clear to Southwest that it must provide timely refunds and reimbursements and will hold Southwest accountable if it fails to do so. DOT is also probing whether Southwest executives engaged in unrealistic scheduling of flights which under federal law is considered an unfair and deceptive practice. DOT will leverage the full extent of its investigative and enforcement power to ensure consumers are protected and this process will continue to evolve as the Department learns more,” the spokesperson mentioned.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg beforehand mentioned 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 further bills.