WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Department of Justice dropped a lawsuit late on Friday against Southwest Airlines ( LUV ), filed by the Biden administration in its final days, that accused the carrier of illegally operating chronically delayed flights.

The Department of Transportation filed suit in January, saying Southwest ( LUV ) operated unrealistic schedules and seeking maximum civil penalties. Southwest ( LUV ), which did not immediately comment on Friday, said in January it was disappointed that DOT had chosen to sue "over two flights that occurred more than two years ago."