Southwest Airlines Mandates Extra Pilot Training After Safety Incidents

Southwest Airlines is implementing a new mandate requiring all of its nearly 11,000 pilots to undergo additional training following a series of recent safety incidents. This comprehensive, day-long training will commence in November and extend into 2025.

The airline’s decision comes in response to several high-profile safety events that have raised concerns. Recent incidents include a Southwest Boeing 737-8 coming dangerously close to the Pacific Ocean near Lihue, Hawaii, and two separate flights receiving low altitude alerts while descending over Oklahoma City and Tampa, respectively. Another troubling event involved a Southwest flight departing from a closed runway in Portland, Maine.

The additional training sessions will be held at Southwest’s Dallas headquarters and are designed to address these safety issues. According to a company memo cited by Bloomberg, the training will focus on analyzing specific events and enhancing crew coordination to better manage risks.

Southwest acknowledges the recent spike in safety incidents and is committed to improving its operational safety. The airline emphasized that significant efforts are underway to address these concerns and enhance overall safety practices.

In addition to Southwest’s internal measures, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is conducting a safety audit of the carrier, mirroring the scrutiny faced by United Airlines earlier this year.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, airlinegeeks.com