Southwest Airlines abruptly canceled over one thousand flights over the weekend. The airline blamed air traffic control issues and weather for the disruption as some speculated there may be a strike underway over vaccine mandates.
“Air Traffic Control (ATC) issues and disruptive weather have resulted in a high volume of cancellations throughout the weekend while we work to recover our operation,” Southwest said in a statement Saturday. “We appreciate your patience as we accommodate affected Customers as quickly as possible, and Customer Service wait times are longer than usual. If your travel was affected, please explore self-service rebooking options by checking your flight status on southwest.com.”
The airline has yet to provide another update as the cancellations mounted Sunday.
The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA), the pilots’ labor union, said their members were not protesting or staging a ‘sickout.’
“SWAPA is aware of operational difficulties affecting Southwest Airlines today due to a number of issues, but we can say with confidence that our Pilots are not participating in any official or unofficial job actions,” said a SWAPA statement. “Our Pilots will continue to overcome SWA management’s poor planning, as well as any external operational challenges, and remain the most productive Pilots in the world. They will continue to be focused on their highest priority — safety. SWAPA Pilots are true professionals and will always maintain the highest level of responsibility to their crews, their passengers, and our airline.”
4 desk agents as Southwest cancels 1,000+ flights
— Luke Rudkowski (@Lukewearechange) October 10, 2021
Soooo don’t fly southwest today! I’ve never seen so many cancelled flights! They’re saying it’s due to “weather” LOL! Okay I’ll pretend I believe it. 👌🏻 pic.twitter.com/w1msClCZXm
— Elyssa Mai (@Elyssamai) October 10, 2021
4 little kids sleeping on the floor of #mco because @SouthwestAir lied to us all day & night and then didn’t even have the decency to throw us a blanket. #SouthwestAirlines Will be a miracle if we leave here without #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/9bOh6XetzB
— Becky (@therealbeckyvac) October 9, 2021
Here’s a look at the Southwest check-in line this morning at Midway Airport. Hundreds of flights cancelled across the country yesterday. Southwest says air traffic control issues and disruptive weather causing cancellations and delays. @nbcchicago pic.twitter.com/OXK1ipb9uJ
— Vi Nguyen (@ViNguyen) October 10, 2021
Insane lines and crowds at Southwest terminal in Denver pic.twitter.com/cnwhD4808B
— Libs of Tik Tok (@libsoftiktok) October 10, 2021
Just last week, Southwest announced they would comply with President Biden’s ‘COVID Action Plan’ and said that the carrier’s contracts with the U.S. government require full compliance with the federal vaccination directive.
Employees of Southwest Airlines must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or be approved for a religious, medical, or disability accommodation, by Dec. 8, 2021, to continue employment with the airline.
“Southwest Airlines must join our industry peers in complying with the federal government’s COVID-19 vaccination directive,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman and CEO. “I encourage all Southwest Employees to meet the federal directive, as quickly as possible, since we value every individual and want to ensure job security for all.”
