The partial government shutdown, now in its 24th day, is
throwing a wrench into Southwest's plan to begin Hawaii service soon.
The carrier had originally planned to begin Hawaii service
in late 2018, but more recently had pushed the time frame back to early this
year. Before those flights can begin, however, Southwest must obtain Extended
Operations Service (ETOPS) authorizations from the FAA for each of the Boeing
737 Max 8 and 737-800 aircraft it intends to fly to Hawaii.
In an email to Travel Weekly, Southwest spokesman Brad
Hawkins said that the certification process is now on hold due to the shutdown.
Southwest is ready to begin running computer simulated flights and then actual
validations flights as part of its ETOPS authorization effort, Hawkins said.
"However, the groups within the FAA that oversee those
activities are on furlough as a result of the government shutdown, and our next
steps require their direct participation and oversight," he said. "We're grateful to have received FAA
approval of our ETOPS manuals and proposed procedures before the government
shutdown, and we are ready to continue the ETOPS application process when the
FAA is allowed to resume full certification activities."
On Sunday, the Associated Press reported that the FAA had
brought back 500 aviation safety inspectors who had been furloughed and that
the agency planned to bring back more inspectors this week. Most of the FAA's
3,000 safety inspectors have been sidelined for work by the shutdown.
An FAA spokesman didn't immediately respond to an email for
more details about the call-back of furloughed inspectors Monday morning.
In Southwest's October earnings call, CFO Tammy Romo said
that the carrier planned for approximately half of its growth this year to come
from Hawaii service.
During the same call, CEO Gary Kelly said that once it
receives ETOPS authorization, Southwest would be able to begin selling tickets
within days and that flights could begin within weeks.
Southwest plans to fly to Hawaii from Oakland, San Jose,
Sacramento and San Diego, but hasn't announced specific routes. Its Hawaii
destinations will be Honolulu, Maui, the Big Island and Kauai.