ORLANDO, Fla. — Southwest Airlines is taking almost a fifth of its fleet out of service Wednesday after missing inspection checks.
The decision has led to nearly 100 cancellations with the airline, including some at Orlando International Airport.
Southwest Airlines said in a statement that 128 planes had overflown the required inspection check, so the airline immediately removed the aircraft, started the checks and notified the FAA with a plan to complete the ones that were overdue.
Sharon Tueger was one of hundreds of Orlando passengers trying to get home.
Her flight was delayed three hours.
“It is what it is. They have me $100 voucher,” said Tieger.
Airlines are required to check the backup hydraulic system, which would control the rudder if the main system fails.
The rudder helps point the airplane in the right direction.
The company released a statement which read, in part, it, “Voluntarily removed the affected aircraft from service and initiated all overdue checks.”
In the meantime, the FAA is allowing Southwest to operate planes for a maximum of five days as the checks are completed.
"If it's a backup system, I'm not too worried," said Southwest passenger Bob Villmow.
Seven Southwest Airlines flights into and out of OIA have been canceled through Thursday morning.
WFTV
