When you hear the word maintenance, what comes to mind? You might think of an electrician troubleshooting a machine that has failed to work or a mechanic fixing something wrong with your car. Maintenance plays a vital role in determining the reliability of an operation. When an appropriate level of investment is made in maintenance, breakdowns are reduced leading to improved reliability of equipment and a prosperous work environment. When not suitably addressed, lack of proper maintenance invites numerous consequences that negatively affect the business.

Southwest Airlines has been involved in a labor dispute with its maintenance union that has lasted for over 6 years spilling over into 2019. Perhaps, as a result, they have seen an increase in maintenance issues and have been forced to ground many of their fleet planes. This has caused hundreds of cancelled flights and significant profit losses. Read the following articles on maintenance issues with Southwest Airlines:

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/05/southwests-maintenance-problems-costing-it-millions-a-week-ceo-says.html

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/southwest-airlines-sues-mechanics-claims-frivolous-safety-concerns-by-union-are-grounding-dozens-of-planes/

Q1: What are the issues that Southwest has been experiencing and what has caused them?

Q2: What are the repercussions of Southwest's "operational emergency" and how could this negatively influence the company?

Q3: What next steps would you take to solve the rapid increase of maintenance issues and increase the reliability of Southwest's operational activities?

Q4: Describe a situation where another industry or company has faced recent maintenance and reliability concerns affecting their operations?