Southwest Airlines mandates extra pilot training after multiple safety incidents

The airline has faced several safety-related incidents this year that prompted the FAA to launch a review in July. In April, a Southwest 737 MAX 8 came within 400 feet of the Pacific Ocean during a landing attempt at Lihue Airport in Hawaii. In May, another jet experienced a phenomenon known as a Dutch roll in-flight, and in June, a Southwest aircraft descended to roughly 500 feet while still 8 miles from its intended runway at an Oklahoma City airport.

Earlier this week, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker commended Southwest’s proactive approach, calling it a “healthy sign” and noted that the carrier has “tended to be in front of the issue as this has developed.”

Meanwhile, the FAA says it is nearly finished with conducting a similar safety review of United Airlines.