Southwest Airlines Responds to FAA Fine

Dallas -- Southwest Airlines Chief Executive Officer Gary Kelly announced the carrier would "make any changes necessary" to follow safety regulations.

In the wake of a $10.2 million fine the Federal Aviation Administration levied last week, the airline has suspended three employees, a company statement said.

The company was fined after for allowing more than 40 jets to fly beyond the dates they were supposed to undergo structural inspections.

The fine also brought attention to two FAA inspectors who said the agency and members Southwest's maintenance team knew the inspections had lapsed.

FAA inspectors C. Bobby Boutris and Douglas Peters have alleged that the agency leaked information to the airline and that higher ranking FAA officials advised them not to push the matter.

The U.S. House of Representatives Transportation Committee and the Department of Transportation's inspector general are investigating the allegations.

In the company statement, Kelly said, "I have insisted that we have the appropriate maintenance organizational and governance structure in place to ensure that the right decisions are being made."

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.