Southwest on Friday apologized to staff after their unions complained about grueling schedules this summer and said it was weighing scheduling changes for later this year. The carrier added more flights back to its schedule compared with some of its competitors, an effort to capitalize on a surge in travel demand. The increase in bookings was a welcome change compared to “a year ago, but we have to be honest with ourselves: it’s also taken a toll on our operation and put a significant strain on all of you. And for that, I am sincerely sorry,” wrote COO Mike Van de Ven in a staff note. Staffing shortages have exacerbated problems like bad weather for some airlines this summer, adding to flight cancellations and delays. Southwest had a 64% on-time arrival rate between June 1 and August 18, lower than American, Delta and United, according to data from Cirium. Van de Ven said the carrier is “continuing to evaluate our fourth quarter flight schedules, and we’re taking a serious look at flight levels to ensure that our flying aligns with the staffing needed to operate within this more complicated COVID environment.” Southwest declined to comment further, but TWU Local 556, which represents the carrier’s flight attendants, late Friday told members that the airline has reversed course on plans to add an additional 720 crew assignments to their schedules for September. Southwest pilots’ union on Thursday said it was considering pickets at US airports over Thanksgiving and Christmas to protest tightly packed schedules, a lack of hotels and food options, and other issues. Flight attendants this week raised similar issues.<br/>
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Italy’s civil aviation authority ENAC said it could fine budget carriers easyJet and Wizz Air for charging extra fees for seats assigned to adults accompanying minors and disabled people. On Friday it said early checks showed the carriers had not yet upgraded their IT and operating systems to ensure customers were not charged extra when booking seats next to underage passengers or people with disabilities. “EasyJet believes it acted in full compliance with the rules in force and that the launch of proceedings to fine it is totally groundless,” the UK airline said. Wizz Air did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ENAC said it had opened proceedings to fine the two carriers up to 50,000 euros for each allegation, as well as Spanish low-cost airline Volotea. With the summer holiday season at its peak in Italy, ENAC has urged all airlines operating in Italy to cancel seat surcharges for certain passengers.<br/>
Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, signed a sponsorship agreement with the Oman Football Association renewing its role as key partner and official carrier for national football teams in the Sultanate. Oman Air CEO Abdulaziz Al Raisi and OFA Chairman Sheikh Salim Al Wahaibi signed the agreement at a ceremony held in the first-class cabin on board a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at Muscat International Airport. After the signing ceremony Al Raisi said: “We are delighted to renew our role as official carrier and extend our support for national football teams across the country as they journey to success in regional and international competition. Our national football teams are not only a source of pride and inspiration for Omani youth, but they are respected ambassadors who reflect our values as a people and our aspirations as a nation. We look forward to their many achievements and the subsequent impact on the strengthening of football in Oman.” <br/>