• The Trump administration has forgiven the last of a record-breaking fine against Southwest Airlines. • Southwest was fined $140 million for a 2022 meltdown that led to the cancellation of 17,000 flights. • The Transportation Department said the carrier's operational upgrade met the requirement.

The financial fallout from Southwest Airlines' 2022 meltdown, which resulted in the cancellation of nearly 17,000 flights at the height of the Christmas holiday, has come to an end.

The Department of Transportation fined the carrier a record $140 million in 2023 for the chaos. The Trump administration this week forgave the last $11 million payment.

In its order, the Transportation Department said the final installment was waived because Southwest had improved its on-time performance and had

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