Sun Sep 15 10:05:00 UTC 2024: ## Southwest Airlines Mandates Pilot Training After Safety Concerns
**Dallas, TX** – Southwest Airlines has announced a new mandatory training program for its pilots, citing a recent increase in safety incidents. The decision comes after an internal review and an intensified safety review by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The training will begin in November and consist of one-day sessions at the airline’s Dallas headquarters. These sessions will focus on promoting discussions among pilots about specific safety events and how to better manage risks.
The airline’s decision follows a string of incidents reported over the past few months, including several near-misses. In April, a Southwest 737 MAX 8 was attempting to land in Kauai when the pilot inadvertently entered a steep dive, coming within 400 feet of the ocean. In June, another Southwest jet descended to a dangerously low altitude while still nine miles from the airport, triggering an alarm system and an air traffic control check-in. And in July, a flight came within 150 feet of the water during its final approach to Tampa International Airport.
Southwest leadership acknowledged these incidents and initiated an internal review to identify areas for improvement within the airline’s safety management system. The FAA also launched its own review in July, citing concerns about Southwest’s adherence to federal safety regulations.
The FAA has been stepping up its scrutiny of airlines across the country, with United Airlines also currently under review for several safety lapses this year. The agency has stressed that safety will drive the timeline for its review of Southwest.
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