Lawsuit challenges Southwest Airlines' Hispanic student ticket program as discriminatory
Southwest Airlines
A new lawsuit has been filed against Southwest Airlines by the American Alliance for Equal Rights, an organisation led by anti-affirmative action advocate Edward Blum.
The lawsuit contends that the airline's program offering free round-trip flights to Hispanic undergraduate and graduate students is racially discriminatory and violates federal civil rights laws.
Blum's group claims that the program, known as the ¡Lánzate! Travel Award Program, unfairly excludes non-Hispanic students from eligibility.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Dallas, asserts that the program's criteria barred two students, one Asian and one white, from applying for the free tickets.
The group is seeking an injunction to prevent Southwest from continuing to use these eligibility criteria.
"Southwest Airlines should immediately open this program to all students, regardless of their skin colour or ethnic heritage," Reuters quoted Blum as saying.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
The greatest fighter jets that never flew: Top 8 cancelled fighter jets that had serious potential
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Who rules the skies? Meet top 10 nations with most advanced fighter jets
)
Exposed by Chris Martin! App Astronomer CEO Andy Byron's 'affair' with Kristin Cabot caught on camera during Coldplay concert
)
6-minute total solar eclipse will plunge major parts of world into darkness. Is your city on the list?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
US tried to shoot down this jet 100 times, failed every time! Here’s why
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
F-35’s nuclear edge: Why the world’s deadliest fighter jet is now a doomsday machine
)
Astronomer CEO Andy Byron’s wife drops last name from social media profiles, deactivates account after viral ‘kiss cam’ clip
)
Why is India where it is? Because 'ghost' force under Oman pushed it 40 million years ago
)
Voyager 1 at one light-day: Spacecraft to reach unthinkable milestone after 49 years
)
Exclusive: Horse racing needs security. We can’t dream if we’re unsure about tomorrow', says Indian jockey Suraj Narredu
)
Skin-toned makeup or health issue? Trump's swollen ankles, bruised hands pave way for rumours - Here's what doctors said
)
US designates TRF, involved in Pahalgam attack, as terrorist group, proxy of Pak-based LeT
)
India test-fires Prithvi-II and Agni-I ballistic missiles successfully under nuclear command
)
Trump’s ankles swollen due to chronic venous condition, hand bruises due to irritation from ‘handshakes’: White House
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
7 must-watch psychological thriller series you can't miss on Netflix, Prime and more
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Stimulus payments worth $300 to $1,700 coming in July: Do you qualify? Here's how you can claim your rebate
The ¡Lánzate! Travel Award Program, established in 2004 in partnership with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, provides eligible Hispanic students with four round-trip tickets annually.
To qualify, students must reside at least 200 miles from their home and be of Hispanic heritage.
Since its inception, the program has benefited over 1,500 students.
Southwest Airlines, headquartered in Dallas, did not respond immediately to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit.
This legal action is the latest in a series of cases Blum has initiated challenging corporate diversity programs.
Last year, another group he founded succeeded in persuading the conservative-majority US Supreme Court to prohibit the consideration of race in college admissions.
The lawsuit alleges that Southwest's program violates Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which prohibits racial discrimination in contracting.
It also claims a breach of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which forbids discrimination in programs receiving federal funding.
The complaint argues that Southwest's acceptance of federal funds during the COVID-19 pandemic makes the airline subject to this statute.
(With inputs from Reuters)