Southwest US Faces Continued Mass Flight Cancellations... Competitors Also Take Measures

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The US low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines continued the US aviation chaos by canceling about 2,500 flights on the 28th (local time). As travelers stranded at airports flocked to alternative flights and fares soared, major airlines such as Delta Air Lines and American Airlines took support measures, including setting fare caps on some routes operated by Southwest Airlines.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

According to the flight tracking site FlightAware, the scale of Southwest Airlines' cancellations accounted for 62% of all US airline cancellations that day. While most US airlines resumed normal operations after the Christmas holiday hit by a winter storm, only Southwest Airlines continued to experience mass cancellations.

Since the winter storm accompanied by heavy snow and cold weather began on the 22nd, the number of canceled flights by Southwest Airlines has been estimated at about 11,000 until the previous day. After canceling more than 3,000 flights each on Christmas Day and the day before, it also canceled 2,500 flights, accounting for 86% of the total cancellations the previous day.

Currently, thousands of travel bags have piled up at Southwest Airlines' major hub airports such as Denver, Colorado, and Chicago, Illinois, and protests from travelers unable to return home are pouring in. Southwest Airlines is also facing an investigation by the US Department of Transportation due to abnormal cancellation rates. On the previous day, US President Joe Biden shared a tweet related to the Department of Transportation's investigation and stated, "The administration will hold airlines accountable."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Competing airlines have also stepped up to resolve the aviation chaos. Delta Air Lines announced on the same day that it would set fare caps on all routes operated by Southwest Airlines until January 2. As travelers searching for alternative flights to return home flocked at once and airfares soared, the fare cap was set to allow tickets to be purchased at existing price levels.

American Airlines also announced via Twitter that it is setting fare caps for certain cities severely affected by cancellations. United Airlines took the same measure for some cities. Spirit Airlines waived fare differences in more than 12 cities, including New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, until January 3.

These measures were implemented shortly after Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg demanded airlines set fare caps to prevent the aftermath of the winter storm-induced aviation chaos. Secretary Buttigieg confirmed the previous day, "Southwest Airlines' system has completely collapsed," and said he would hold the company accountable and ensure compensation measures for affected travelers.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.