DALLAS (AP) _ Tuesday is the deadline for Southwest Airlines to settle a dispute with federal officials over use of unapproved parts in at least 82 of its jets.
The Dallas-based airline said Monday the parts were installed on almost twice as many planes as it first believed and has suspended the maintenance firm that got the parts from a subcontractor.
Southwest also says it’s replaced the unapproved parts in more than 25 planes. But it says it but needs more time to find parts for the remaining jets and avoid a disruption in its service to its customers.
Without an extension, the Federal Aviation Administration could force the airline to ground some planes.
FAA officials have said the unapproved parts were designed to push hot engine exhaust away from the wings. It says they don’t pose an immediate safety hazard. But on Aug. 22, it gave Southwest 10 days to fix the problem.