Follows Concern Over Unusually Low And Unsafe Approaches

Southwest Airlines is stepping up its safety precautions by mandating additional pilot training. This decision follows a string of incidents and an intensified FAA safety review, which highlighted weak spots in the carrier’s operations.

“Over the past few months, we have seen an increase in safety events” a Southwest memo stated. “Meaningful work is underway to address these events and advance our safety.”

Starting in November, Southwest pilots will be required to attend one-day training sessions at the airline's Dallas headquarters. The meetings are designed to promote discussions among Southwest pilots about specific events and how to more effectively manage risks.

The new training initiative stems from an increase in safety incidents reported over the past few months. In April, a Southwest 737 MAX 8 was attempting to land at Lihue Airport in Kauai when the pilot “accidentally” entered a 4,400 fpm dive, coming within 400 feet of the ocean. On June 19, another jet descended to approximately 525 ft above the ground while still 9 miles from the airport, triggering its Minimum Safe Altitude Warning system and an ATC check-in. Then, on July 14, a flight came within 150 feet of the water on a five-mile final to Tampa International Airport.

Southwest Airlines leadership noticed this collection of near-miss incidents and initiated an internal review. They formed a team of regulators, airline leaders, and pilot union representatives tasked with pinpointing areas for improvement within the carrier’s safety management system.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stepped in and launched a review of their own in July.

“The FAA has increased oversight of Southwest Airlines to ensure it is complying with federal safety regulations,” the administration posted in a statement. “Safety will drive the timeline.”

The FAA has been working to step up its overall airline scrutiny, with United Airlines under a similar review following several high-profile safety lapses this year.

FMI: www.southwest.com, www.faa.gov