While the FAA and Southwest Airlines both confirmed that the
security review is underway, both also declined our request for
an interview and for details, including what prompted the probe,
what it entails and how long it'll last.
I'm very worried.
I mean, naturally with so many different reports about the
airline industry at BWI Wednesday, SW passengers reacting to word
that the FAA has launched a safety review of the
low cost airline.
I'm glad them that they are probing Southwest and you
stay on top of it.
It follows a recent string of safety incident close calls
that include more than one plane flying at dangerously low
altitudes.
A near miss is actually almost like, you know, just
as bad as having an actual incident.
We reached out to the airline and to the federal
agency to learn more about what prompted the probe, what
it entails, and what people flying Southwest into, out of
and through BWI should know about safety.
Getting on the plane right now, I'm, I'm a mother
of four and I'm really concerned that I'm traveling by
myself and leaving them.
And so when I hear about these types of investigations,
it makes me worry.
Both entities responded via e-mail and confirmed to 11 News
News that the review is underway.
Quote.
The FAA has increased oversight of Southwest Airlines to ensure
it is complying with federal safety regulations through the certificate
holder evaluation process.
Safety will drive the timeline, the FAA said in a
statement.
Southwest told us that it's working closely with the FAA
in the review has formed a new team of safety
experts to bolster its existing safety management system, adding nothing
is more important to Southwest than the safety of our
customers and employees.
And I hope that they're able to do the probe
and really come up with answers to help to improve
the airline and the service.
The FAA calls its review operator oversight and says it's
based on and adjusted through something called a risk based
system at BWI.
I'm Kate Amara, WBAL TV 11 News.