Quantcast

Southwest Airlines closes operations at multiple airports amid financial challenges

GLOBAL INDUSTRY NEWS
Engine maker agrees to compensate WizzAir for grounded planes
China steps up drive to break Boeing, Airbus grip on plane market
Airline praises pilots in crash-landing where both died but nearly half the passengers survived
Mexico state airline to buy five Embraer planes next year
A record number of people are expected to fly over the holidays. That's good for travel stocks, but not for passengers.
American Airlines technical issue sparks travel chaos on Christmas Eve as flights heavily delayed after being grounded
Why United Airlines has had such a stellar year despite being Boeing's biggest customer
JetBlue nixing routes between multiple major cities, reducing several others
Airline Stocks Led The Travel Industry's Record 2024 Rally. Here's What's Next.
It’s beginning to look like another record for holiday travel
Qatar Airways cleans up at the World Travel Awards
All of the strikes at European airports this winter – find out if you are affected
Meet the CEO trying to turn around Air India, the 92-year-old airline with a pile of problems
Skiplagging: Unpacking the Risky Travel Trend That Involves Tricking Airlines
Qantas engineers walk off job on one of the busiest travel days of the year
South Korea to safeguard competition after Korean Air, Asiana merger
China Southern returns to Adelaide
Global Airline Industry Revenues Forecast To Top $1 Trillion For First Time In 2025
EasyJet to launch six new routes from the UK next year with £24 flights
Here's Why Analysts Say It's a Good Time to Buy Airline Stocks
A No-Frills Airline Is Getting Into the Premium Game
TAKING OFF: Major airline introduces new inflight service rules with less time to order your drinks
2 Delta flight attendants fail breathalyzer test before flight to JFK
EasyJet reveals plans for new flights from regional UK airport next summer
Airlines not switching quickly enough to green jet fuel, study says
Alaska Airlines tech issue briefly grounds planes in Seattle, disrupts bookings on Cyber Monday
US Senate panel criticizes rising airline seat fees, will call execs to testify
Spirit’s Demise Is a Lesson in ‘Airline-o-nomics’
Inside BA’s new first-class suites: £800 an hour for most private seat
Focus: US airline flight crews confident and angry as unions seek richer contracts
Global Industry News
Southwest Airlines closes operations at multiple airports amid financial challenges
Policy
Webp received 2107990136301751
Bob Jordan President, Chief Executive Officer, & Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Southwest Airlines | Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines has announced the closure of operations at several airports, including one in New York, citing reduced demand, slower revenue growth, and increased operating costs. The airline received less than half of its expected new aircraft from Boeing last year. As the exclusive operator of the Boeing 737 type, Southwest depends on a steady supply of new planes.

Bob Jordan, CEO of Southwest Airlines, highlighted challenges due to aircraft delivery delays: "The recent news from Boeing regarding further aircraft delivery delays presents significant challenges for both 2024 and 2025."

The airline will cease services to Syracuse, New York; Bellingham, Washington; Houston-IAH, Texas; and Cozumel, Mexico. This decision led to the layoff of about 2,000 employees as part of cost-cutting measures. Previously prominent in New York City area airports like Newark Liberty International (EWR) and LaGuardia (LGA), Southwest stopped serving EWR in 2019 due to declining demand and high costs.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
Subscribe
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

According to Cirium's data, Southwest started scheduled services at EWR in March 2021 with multiple daily flights from two airports. In April 2011 alone, it offered up to five daily round-trip flights between St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) and Newark.

In April 2012, Southwest flew over a thousand one-way flights to and from EWR but began reducing its presence by early 2019 due to rising costs and lower demand. By November that year, it had completely withdrawn from EWR.

The grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX significantly impacted Southwest's operations as it relied heavily on this model. Gary C. Kelly stated: "Based on the extensive delays in returning the MAX to service...we are taking necessary steps to mitigate damages." Consequently, they ceased operations at Newark Liberty International Airport in November 2019 but continue servicing LaGuardia (LGA).

Kelly also expressed gratitude towards their Newark employees: "I am grateful to our wonderful Newark Employees...and will be given an opportunity to relocate."

Organizations Included in this History
Simple Flying
More News

Oman Air to increase flights to Heathrow, plans double daily service next summer

London Heathrow, recognized as Europe's busiest airport, will soon experience an increase in its flight offerings by Oman Air.

Sep 2, 2025

Minneapolis-St. Paul airport schedules runway improvements for 2025

Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport will commence safety and airfield improvement projects on Runway 12R-30L in two distinct phases throughout 2025.

Aug 22, 2025

Delta to expand Atlanta-Anchorage flights to year-round service

Delta Air Lines is adjusting its service between Atlanta and Anchorage, extending flights beyond the summer travel season to a year-round offering.

May 15, 2025

Southwest Airlines faces scrutiny after 2022 holiday meltdown and policy changes

In December 2022, Southwest Airlines faced a major crisis as operational challenges led to the cancellation of 16,900 flights, affecting nearly two million passengers during a peak travel period.

Apr 19, 2025

Harrison Ford's Cessna Citation Sovereign: A Look Inside His Private Jet

Harrison Ford, an acclaimed actor known for roles such as Han Solo in "Star Wars" and Indiana Jones, is also a noted aviation enthusiast.

Apr 19, 2025

Iberia debuts first overnight flight from Europe to the US with new Dallas schedule

Iberia Airlines has confirmed a notable shift in its flight schedule connecting Madrid and Dallas/Fort Worth, introducing its first overnight service from Europe to the US.

Apr 19, 2025

Aviation Comments
Loading...

No comments available.

Trending
1

Oman Air to increase flights to Heathrow, plans double daily service next summer