Southwest Airlines Will Cut 25 Flights From Hartsfield—Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Southwest Airlines is continuing to optimize its network. After announcing service suspension from a bunch of airports a few days ago, the carrier will also reduce its number of flights from Hartsfield—Jackson Atlanta International Airport as it looks to preserve cash wherever possible.

Southwest to slash Atlanta schedule

Southwest is introducing further changes to its flight schedule in the coming months, and this time, Hartsfield—Jackson Atlanta International Airport is at the receiving end. The low-cost airline has decided to reduce the number of daily flights to and from the airport amid a larger reshuffling following a disappointing first quarter this year.

A spokesperson for Southwest confirmed the development to Channel 2 Action News, saying that the airline will offer 94 daily departures from Atlanta on weekdays in the near future. This is 25 fewer flights than the current 119 daily departures from the airport.

Southwest has a significant presence in Atlanta and is, in fact, the second-biggest carrier at the airport after Delta Air Lines, which calls Atlanta airport its primary hub. Southwest, which serves more than 40 cities from Atlanta, will also drop its route to Little Route, Arkansas, in June.

Trimming down network

Southwest’s decision to cut flights from Atlanta comes close on the heels of its announcement of stopping services from four airports in the coming months. These are George Bush International Airport in Houston, Bellingham International Airport in Bellingham, Washington, Syracuse Hancock International Airport in Syracuse, New York, and Cozumel International Airport on Cozumel Island, Mexico.

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

The carrier is looking for ways to save cash after a weak quarter, and network optimization is at the top of the list as it reduces flights and routes from several airports. Southwest’s CEO Bob Jordan recently said that stabilizing and achieving their financial goals is a top priority for the airline, and these announcements are a reaction to that “to mitigate the operational and financial impacts while maintaining dependable and reliable flight schedules for our customers.”

Shakeup after Q1 results

These recent changes are rooted in Southwest’s poor financial results in the first quarter of 2024. The carrier posted a net loss of $231 million, attributing much of it to the delays in aircraft deliveries from Boeing.

While the airline received five Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft and retired three 737-700s, there has been a drop in its initial projection of fleet development. It was earlier expecting to receive 46 MAX planes in 2024 but is now looking at getting 20 aircraft from Boeing this year.

There are not enough planes for Southwest to continue with its previous network expansion plans, and it also had to freeze pilot hiring earlier this year. Furthermore, the airline is downsizing its workforce and could end 2024 with 2,000 fewer employees.

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

Related

Southwest Airlines Posts Net Loss Of $231 Million In Q1 Against Headwinds Of Boeing Delays

Southwest Airlines revealed that it has entered into another agreement to amend the contractual delivery schedule with Boeing.

Southwest is looking for other ways to boost revenue. Jordan recently said that the carrier could do away with unassigned seating, change this to a more organized form of boarding, and save money by having a faster turnaround time. The carrier’s free-for-all boarding method is popular, but it takes longer for passengers to settle in the aircraft.

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