The Trump administration has decided to halt lawsuits against Southwest Airlines regarding ongoing flight delays.
Back in March, discussions were reported between President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ) and the airline concerning a lawsuit initiated by the Department of Transport (DOT) during then-President Joe Biden’s administration.
As per the report, Southwest Airlines had been given until May 30 to respond to the lawsuit, but the DOJ has taken steps to dismiss the case ahead of that deadline.
A spokesperson for Southwest expressed gratitude toward the DOT for dropping the lawsuit, stating that they believe this is the appropriate outcome.
The lawsuit, filed in January on the last day of Biden’s term, accused the airline of running “illegally delayed flights and causing disruptions for passengers.”
The spokesperson for Southwest noted that the flights central to the lawsuit occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic and faced complications that weren’t solely due to the airline’s management.
The flights in question were between Chicago Midway International Airport and Oakland, California, as well as between Baltimore and Cleveland.
A DOT statement indicated that around 180 passengers were affected by the delays between April and August 2022.
Each of the flights had reportedly been delayed for five consecutive months, according to the BIDENDOT’s claims.
The DOT’s assertion included complaints about airlines engaging in “unfair, deceptive, and anti-competitive” practices regarding inaccurate departure and arrival times.
At the time, Pete Battigigue, the then Director of Transportation, highlighted the necessity for airlines to provide accurate timing information for travelers.
In light of the recent developments, a DOT spokesperson mentioned that the lawsuit “should not have pursued further.”
The DOJ has opted not to provide any comments on the matter.
