Repair deadline extended

DALLAS - Federal officials are giving Southwest Airlines until Dec. 24 to replace unapproved parts that were installed on dozens of airplanes.

Southwest faced a deadline of yesterday and had appealed for more time.

A maintenance company hired by Southwest used parts that hadn’t been approved by the FAA on more than 80 Southwest planes. Southwest has replaced the parts on about 30 and will get more time to complete the remaining work.

The parts are designed to deflect hot engine exhaust away from the wings.