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String of Safety Incidents Prompt Additional Southwest Pilot Training

The airline is requiring that all of its nearly 11,000 pilots attend a daylong training course.

Southwest 737 MAX 8 aircraft [Credit: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Southwest Airlines is mandating additional, one-day training for all its nearly 11,000 pilots, commencing in November 2024 and extending into 2025.
  • This decision comes in response to a string of recent high-profile safety incidents, including a plane dropping close to the ocean, multiple low-altitude alerts, and a takeoff from a closed runway.
  • The training sessions, held at Dallas headquarters, aim to address these specific events and improve flight crew risk management, amidst an ongoing FAA safety audit of the airline.
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Following a string of high-profile “safety events” in recent months, Southwest Arilines is forcing its pilots to attend additional training. 

Bloomberg reports that the training sessions will begin as early as November, lasting into 2025.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan is Group President for Firecrown's Aviation Group. In 2013, he founded AirlineGeeks.com, a leading trade publication covering the airline industry. Since then, his work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the airline industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Previously, he worked for a Part 135 operator and later a major airline. Ryan is also an Adjunct Instructor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

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