**U.S. Drops $11 Million Fine Against Southwest Airlines Over 2022 Holiday Disruptions**
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has decided to waive an $11 million fine against Southwest Airlines. This fine was related to the airline’s major travel meltdown during the 2022 holiday season. Instead of paying the fine, Southwest will now give $90 million more in refunds and benefits to affected passengers.
Back in December 2022, Southwest Airlines canceled over 16,000 flights due to a winter storm and an outdated scheduling system. More than two million passengers were stranded, and many could not reach their destinations during the holidays. The airline came under heavy criticism for the chaos and inconvenience caused to travelers.
After a year-long investigation, DOT concluded that the airline failed to provide timely customer service and did not offer proper refunds. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said this case sets a new standard. He highlighted that the total value of the penalty—$140 million—is more than 30 times larger than any previous penalty for airline consumer violations.
Southwest Airlines had already paid over $600 million in refunds and reimbursements shortly after the incident. With this new agreement, the company will spend $90 million more. This includes giving travel vouchers to about 200,000 passengers who faced long delays. Each customer will receive a $75 voucher.
Southwest said it learned from the situation and has improved its systems to prevent future issues. It updated its scheduling software and increased staffing during busy times. The airline agreed to DOT’s plan, saying the current solution better supports customers than paying the fine directly to the government.
This action from DOT shows a shift toward keeping airlines more accountable for customer service. The agency wants companies to focus on passenger care rather than just paying fines. Travelers and airline industry watchers will be keeping a close eye on how well Southwest and others follow these new standards.
The deal was announced within the last 48 hours and is part of a wider push by the government to improve travel reliability. Passengers affected by delays and cancellations could see better outcomes in the future.
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