US waives $11m fine for Southwest Airlines over 2022 holiday meltdown

White House decision is part of $140m settlement over flight chaos during busy December travel period

The Trump administration said on Saturday it will waive an $11m fine imposed on Southwest Airlines as part of a $140m settlement over the carrier's meltdown in December 2022 during a busy holiday travel period.

Southwest in December 2023 agreed to pay a $35m cash fine over three years over the airline's handling of the meltdown that stranded more than 2 million passengers. It also agreed to provide $90m in travel vouchers of $75 or more to passengers delayed at least three hours getting to final destinations because of an airline-caused issue or cancellation.