Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) is citing fatigue concerns as major safety concern in an open letter via email to Southwest Airlines CEO and other key officials of the airline.

“Fatigue numbers have been climbing exponentially since last summer with no meaningful attempts by management to mitigate them. A return to normal flying capacity in June 2021 (using comparative data from 2017-2019 and excluding 2020 due to Covid) saw more than a 200% increase in fatigue rates. The situation only grew worse from there, with rates up 350% in August and September and over 600% in October. Management took a “wait and hope” approach, but reality struck with January and February rates doubling and March hitting another staggering 330% increase. April is already setting fatigue records,” said SWAPA in its open letter.

“Fatigue, both acute and cumulative, has become Southwest Airlines’ number-one safety threat,” SWAPA added.

The association is calling for management’s immediate action necessary to impede the unacceptable risk.

Source: SWAPA

For more information, kindly contact SWAPA.

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