Cantwell Slams Trump Admin for Giving Southwest Airlines Free Pass on Millions in Fines Owed for 2022 Holiday Travel Meltdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, slammed the Trump Administration for its decision to waive $11 million in fines levied against Southwest Airlines by the Biden Administration following the airline's 2022 holiday travel meltdown which stranded more than 2 million passengers.

"With the holiday travel season upon us, the Trump Administration is letting Southwest Airlines off the hook for fines they owe as a result of their 2022 holiday meltdown," Sen. Cantwell said. "Southwest stranded more than 2 million passengers, including my Rainier Beach High School constituents, cancelled almost 17,000 flights and failed to provide proper refunds in a timely fashion. This Administration needs to stop rolling back regulations and fines that hold industry accountable - it's their job to protect consumers when airline mistakes ruin Americans' travel plans."

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