DALLAS (AP) – The Federal Aviation Administration said Tuesday it has increased its oversight of Southwest Airlines, which has seen its planes involved in a series of troubling incidents in recent weeks that have included flying at very low altitudes while still being miles away from an airport.
“The FAA has increased oversight of Southwest Airlines to ensure it complies with federal safety regulations,” an agency spokesperson said in a statement. “Safety will drive the timeline.”
The FAA declined to provide details but noted that it continually adjusts its oversight of airlines based on risk.
South-west said it is working closely with the FAA and has also formed a team of people from the airline, its union and the FAA to strengthen its safety management system.
FAA action is among several actions by the new Administrator Mike Whitaker to respond to greater concern for security about airlines since a panel covering an unused exit exploded on a Boeing 737 Max during an Alaska Airlines flight in January.
The FAA is investigating Boeing’s manufacturing processes. Earlier this year, the agency increased its scrutiny of United Airlines following a series of troubling developments involving United planes.
Twice in recent weeks, Southwest jets have flown unusually low while still being several miles away from the airports where they intended to land. in Oklahoma and Florida. Another Southwest jet took off from a closed runway in Maine last month.
In April, a Southwest jet descended quickly off the coast of Hawaii and came within 400 feet of the surface of the Pacific Ocean before recovering.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a Southwest jet that made an unusual move “Dutch roll” and was discovered to have tail damage after a flight from Phoenix to Oakland, California. Investigators say the plane was parked outside during a severe thunderstorm.
Neither event resulted in injuries.
The heightened oversight was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
