Low-cost airline Southwest is losing more than 5 percent on Wall Street on Wednesday after the company lowered its revenue guidance for the first quarter, partly due to a large number of canceled flights.

Since February 15, hundreds of flights have been canceled due to both weather and various technical problems, reports Reuters, which also says that Southwest will try to find out if there is any connection between the problems and an ongoing conflict with the airline's mechanics.

The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, AMFA, which organizes 2,400 flight mechanics employed by Southwest, has commented on the move, saying it is just a way to divert attention from "real safety problems.".

Southwest reported earlier on Wednesday that the partial shutdown of US government agencies earlier this year had impacted sales by $60 million, a figure four times higher than previously reported.

Source: di.se