The Cancellation-Plagued Southwest has Raked in Billions from Taxpayers for Maintenance

Southwest AirlinesThis was a list of hundreds of thousands of flights that were cancelled or delayed by. holiday According to records, season has received large amounts in federal subsidies over the last few years.

Southwest Airlines has cancelled over 15,700 flights in the last 15 years winter Weather began to impact air travel Dec. 22, much earlier than any commercial. United States According to airline records FlightAware. However, Southwest has been given over $7.2 million by the U.S. Government since 2020. taxpayer Files show that the airline had funds for operations and payroll, raising questions about how well it managed its resources.

“Airlines continue to take our tax dollars, yet they never seem to make long-term changes that will improve the experience for customers,” Adam Andrzejewski was the CEO of OpenTheBooks, a financial watchdog. “As soon as demand recovered, there was industrywide disruption.”

“These major carriers should use profits to improve systems and position themselves to handle economic headwinds,” He concluded. “Until then, Congress and airlines will be addicted to subsidies.”

BIDEN SAYS AIRLINES WILL BE ‘HELD ACCOUNTABLE’ OVER FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS

Since long, the federal government has provided subsidies for airlines’ maintenance and upkeep. Former President Barack Obama signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, which is a $2.2 trillion stimulus law. Donald Trump in March 2020 and was intended to aid people amid the spread COVID-19Southwest pulled in More than $3.3 billion in payroll support for September 2020

Additionally, Treasury Department We are in agreement purchase This aid included over 1,000,000 shares Southwest stock. The stock fell by more than 24% in the past year and nearly 50% in five years.

Southwest then received $3.8 billion in subsidies in April 2021. American