The Federal Aviation Administration has intervened in the simmering feud between Southwest Airlines and mechanics, arguing it could impact safety.
The FAA’s top safety officer Ali Bahrami wrote to both parties, citing ‘concern about the ongoing effectiveness of the airline’s safety management system.’
Southwest issued an operational emergency more than two weeks ago claiming maintenance workers were taking aircraft out of service for unnecessary maintenance issues.
The airline alleges it is doing this as a bargaining tool in an ongoing labor dispute.
The airline has since filed a lawsuit against the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association.
The FAA is taking a neutral stance but called for an end to the feud and for both parties to work together.
"Safety is a shared responsibility of Southwest and AMFA members that demands a collaborative culture, irrespective of any ongoing controversy between the two organizations," Bahrami wrote.
Southwest downplayed the letter as normal practice in such circumstances.
"This type of communication is normal protocol designed to underscore continued safe operations," the airline said in a statement.
Southwest declared an operational emergency on February 22 and has been forced to cancel hundreds of flights with around double the number of aircraft currently out of service.
Labor contract talks have been going on with AMFA for several years without a final resolution.
