Southwest flight bound for Hawaii forced to return to Oakland after a "mechanical issue”

Southwest Airlines jet on tarmac at Oakland International Airport, Oakland, California, May 28, 2021. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

A Southwest Airlines flight departing Oakland International Airport bound for Hawaii returned to Oakland a few hours after takeoff on Monday. According to FlightAware, flight 1281 departed at 9:30 a.m. and landed again at approximately 12:45 p.m.

The airline says the plane experienced a "mechanical issue" that required review.

Southwest says the jet landed uneventfully and made its way to the gate safely. The plane was swapped, and the journey will be completed. 

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"As always, Safety is Southwest’s unwavering priority, and we appreciate the support and patience of our Customers and Crew," the airline said in a statement to KTVU.