Feds sue Southwest Airlines over plane maintenance issues

The federal government is suing Southwest Airlines Co. after failing to reach a settlement with the carrier over allegations that repairs to dozens of planes didn't meet safety standards, The Associated Press reports.

On Monday, the Justice Department filed suit seeking to enforce $12 million in civil penalties the Federal Aviation Administration announced in late July.

The government alleges Southwest hired a contractor, Aviation Technical Services Inc. of Everett, Wash., starting in 2006 to make repairs on 44 planes to prevent the aluminium skin from cracking. The FAA says the contractor failed to follow proper procedures.

Southwest disputes the claims.

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