Faces DOJ Action; Airline Considers Options

When you don't pay your bills, you run the risk of having creditors call. When an airline doesn't pay an FAA-mandated fine, it runs the risk of drawing the ire of the US Attorney's office.

That's the scenario now facing Southwest Airlines. The Associated Press reports the low-cost carrier has been ordered to pay a $10.2 million fine proposed by the FAA no later than August 29, or else the matter will be referred to the Justice Department.

As ANN reported, the FAA imposed the record fine after the agency discovered from June 18, 2006 to March 14, 2007, the low-cost carrier operated 46 Boeing 737-300 and -500 "Classic" models without performing mandatory inspections for fuselage fatigue cracking. Subsequently, the airline found that six of the 46 airplanes had fatigue cracks.

In that time, the FAA said, those planes flew 59,791 passenger-carrying flights.

Southwest disputed the fine, but FAA regional counsel Lynette Word determined the fine "is appropriate," notes a letter sent August 12 to Southwest lawyer Dane Jaques. If Southwest fails to pay on time, the FAA "will refer the case to the United States Attorney's office for whatever action they deem appropriate," Word adds.

A spokesperson for the Dallas-based carrier -- which, it must be noted, is statistically one of the safest airlines worldwide -- declined to comment on the matter, other than stating the letter "was part of the process" and the airline is now reviewing its options, reports Reuters.

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