Dhaka, Dec. 8 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation has waived part of a fine imposed on Southwest Airlines after the carrier cancelled thousands of flights during a 2022 winter storm.

Southwest had agreed in a 2023 settlement to pay a $140 million civil penalty, a sum the Biden administration described at the time as the largest consumer-protection fine ever levied against an airline.

Most of the money went toward compensation for travellers. But Southwest agreed to pay $35 million to the US Treasury.

Southwest made a $12 million payment in 2024 and a second $12 million payment earlier this year.

But the Transportation Department issued an order waiving the final $11 million payment, which was due Jan. 31, 2026.

The department sa...