Southwest Airways’ vacation journey nightmare attracts authorities ire

President Biden, members of his administration, and lawmakers have mentioned Southwest Airways has canceled greater than 5,000 flights prior to now two days, leaving passengers stranded throughout the nation in an ongoing vacation journey debacle. It is aimed toward Southwest Airways.

Southwest Airways alone accounts for about 86% of home cancellations on Tuesday. The day earlier than, the U.S. Division of Transportation referred to as Southwest’s actions “unacceptable,” as the corporate far outnumbered different airways in canceling flights.

Passengers in cities reminiscent of Phoenix, Arizona and San Diego, California have been instructed by airways that they can not reschedule for days, and piled baggage has created a surreal scene at airports throughout the nation.

monday evening, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg tweeted. He mentioned he was monitoring the journey disruptions “intently” and “could have extra to say about this tomorrow.”

With out specifying Southwest states, Biden inspired affected passengers to go to the Division of Transportation’s web site to see in the event that they have been “entitled to compensation.”

Senators Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) have put stress instantly on Southwest Airways to refund tickets and provides stranded passengers a “breakup plan for his or her trip.” It seeks to offer “substantial financial compensation for the interruption.”

Following the vacation break, it appears sure that the Southwest shall be within the crosshairs of a congressional inquiry. Whereas the dangerous climate created by the polar vortex sweeping throughout the nation and crippling two of Southwest Airways’ hubs, Chicago and Denver, explains among the airline’s issues, lawmakers mentioned. can be chargeable for Southwest Airways’ enterprise choices.

Amid staffing shortages, the corporate canceled 63% of its scheduled flights on Tuesday, and passenger issues are more likely to persist for the subsequent few days. Already Southwest Airways has introduced one other 2,500 on Wednesday, in accordance with The Washington Publish. I canceled my flight.