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

The lawsuit alleges Southwest illegally operated chronically delayed flights and disrupted passengers' travel plans.

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

Southwest is disappointed that DOT chose to file a lawsuit over two flights that occurred more than two years ago," a spokesperson for the airline said.

The Biden Administration sued Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Wednesday for operating two “chronically late” flights, in the White House’s latest move to hold the industry accountable for delays and cancellations.

Southwest Airlines stock fell Thursday after the Department of Transportation sued the airline over a pair of "chronically delayed flights."

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

The agency is seeking civil penalties against Southwest Airlines, and also fined Frontier Airlines for its continuous delays.

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