The DOT filed a lawsuit against Southwest Airlines, citing a pattern of chronic delays, as the government pushes for stricter accountability.

President Joe Biden's administration on Wednesday sued Southwest Airlines , accusing the carrier of illegally operating multiple chronically delayed flights and disrupting passengers’ travel.

This "sends a message to all airlines" that DOT will go to court in order "to enforce passenger protections," Pete Buttigieg said.

The Transportation Department is stepping up enforcement of persistent flight delays with a civil lawsuit against Southwest Airlines and a fine against Frontier Airlines.

The Department of Transportation is suing Southwest Airlines, accusing it of operating two “chronically delayed flights” in 2022 that resulted in 180 flight disruptions.

A Southwest Airlines pilot has been arrested by airport police, accused of driving under the influence before a scheduled flight. The airline confirmed the pilot has been removed from duty. This incident comes as the Department of Transportation sues Southwest over persistent flight delays.

The Transportation Department said in a lawsuit that two of the airline’s routes were consistently delayed in violation of federal rules.

A lawsuit filed against Southwest alleges the airline operated multiple “chronically delayed” flights affecting thousands of passengers.