Federal Regulators Are Raising Scrutiny of Southwest Airlines After a Series of Troubling Incidents

DALLAS—The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Tuesday it has increased its oversight of Southwest Airlines, which has seen its planes involved in a series of troubling incidents in recent weeks that included flying at very low altitudes while still miles away from an airport.

“The FAA has increased oversight of Southwest Airlines to ensure it is complying with federal safety regulations,” an agency spokesperson said in a statement. “Safety will drive the timeline.”

The FAA declined to provide details, but noted that it continually adjusts oversight of airlines based on risk.

Southwest said it is working closely with the FAA and also has formed a team of people from the airline, its union and the FAA to strengthen its safety-management system.

The FAA’s action is among several moves by new Administrator Mike Whitaker to respond to heightened safety concern about airlines ever since a panel covering an unused exit blew off a Boeing 737 Max during an Alaska Airlines flight in January.

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