FAA proposes $12 million fine against Southwest Airlines

The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a $12 million fine against Southwest Airlines for safety violations.

The FAA claims that Southwest failed to comply with safety regulations regarding the repairs of Boeing 737 jetliners in three different cases, The Associated Press reports.

According to the AP, Southwest made "extreme makeover" changes to 44 of its jetliners' aluminum skins in 2006 to prevent cracking. But an FAA investigation found that Aviation Technical Services Inc., Southwest's contractor, didn't follow the correct safety procedure when replacing the fuselage. Since the work was done for Southwest, the FAA is deeming the airline responsible.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up

The FAA claims that Southwest continued using the planes in 2009, despite the FAA's warning that they were "not in compliance" with regulations. Southwest now has up to 30 days to address the proposed fine.