Boeing sued by Southwest Pilots Union over grounding of plane

As per reports, The union which represents Southwest Airlines pilots is suing Boeing, revealing that its pilot are losing money since the company launched an unsafe plane into service only to have 737 MAX grounded after two deadly crashes in the past two years.

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Airline association: Boeing misled the pilots

Reportedly, Southwest  Airlines Pilots Association said in the lawsuit which was filed on October 7, that Boeing misled the pilots and airlines by not sharing that a new flight-control system MCAS which is at the centre of the investigations into accidents.

The lawsuit has been filed in a Texas court in Dallas which can make it tough for Boeing to garner public trust in the plane. Boeing hopes to make use of pilots in a campaign to make passengers rest assured once regulatory authorities approve the changes that the company is making to the plane. Meanwhile, Boeing responded by saying that they believe this lawsuit is meritless and will vigorously defend against it and that they will continue to work with Southwest Airlines and its pilots on efforts to safely return the Max to service.

Notably, it was reported in global media that Southwest had more Max jets than any other airline when the plane was grounded globally in March. The union said that grounding has slashed more than 30,000 Southwest flights. As per a reported interview, Pilots association president said that lawsuit comes after failed negotiations with Boeing over compensation for more than $100 million in income which pilots have lost owing to cancelled flights.   Also at issue were the union’s expenses to comply with a subpoena from the Justice Department, which is conducting a criminal investigation into Boeing’s representations to regulators who certified the plane.

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Background

The lawsuit reportedly references various news accounts for many of its claims even as Investigation is yet to be completed into crashes which took place in Indonesia and Ethiopia and has killed 346 people. Boeing is up against dozens of lawsuits filed by victims' families and also have settled for classified terms. In July, Boeing announced $4.9 billion after-tax charges to cover compensation which it expects to pay airlines in coming years to compensate for cancelled flights. Boeing hopes that 737 Mac will fly again this year. Southwest had dropped the planes from its schedule through January 5. 

(With inputs from AP)

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