WASHINGTON, Oct 11, 2021 (BSS/AFP) - Southwest Airlines cancelled more than
1,000 flights Sunday, part of a major weekend service disruption that the
carrier attributed to weather and air traffic control issues.

   The carrier cancelled 1,085 flights and counting on Sunday, or about 29
percent of its schedule -- by far the highest rate of any airline -- and
delayed more than 900 others, according to airline tracker FlightAware.

   More than 800 Southwest flights were scrapped Saturday, FlightAware said.

   Southwest said in statement that the weather challenges began at Florida
airports at the start of the weekend, and were compounded by unexpected air
traffic control issues that triggered delays and prompted significant
cancellations.

   "We've continued diligent work throughout the weekend to reset our
operation with a focus on getting aircraft and crews repositioned to take
care of our customers," the airline said.

   The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association sought to refute speculation
that some pilots or other Southwest staff were participating in a work
slowdown as a way to express opposition to the company's decision to require
its employees to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

   "SWAPA is aware of operational difficulties affecting Southwest Airlines
today due to a number of issues, but we can say with confidence that our
Pilots are not participating in any official or unofficial job actions," the
group said Saturday.