12:36 PM EST, 12/09/2024 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with Southwest Airlines ( LUV ) response in the third paragraph.)

Southwest Airlines ( LUV ) must face a lawsuit by a group opposing affirmative action, which claims that a now defunct program offering free flights to Hispanic students was racially discriminatory, US District Judge Sidney Fitzwater ruled Friday, Reuters reported.

The judge rejected Southwest's ( LUV ) argument that ending the 20-year-old Lanzate! program and offering damages rendered the case moot, allowing claims under anti-bias laws to proceed.

Southwest Airlines ( LUV ) declined to comment on the "pending litigation".

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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