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Southwest Airlines, a major low-cost carrier in the United States, has reported a loss of nearly 25,000 passengers at the Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP) in January 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. The airline attributed its struggles partly to a shortage of aircraft due to production and delivery delays from Boeing, its exclusive aircraft supplier. "Southwest reportedly said in November that it received 20 new planes last year, 'a massive drop from the 79 it previously received.'"
Southwest operates a fleet comprised solely of Boeing 737 models, including the 737-700, 737-800, and 737 MAX 8. The airline has a substantial number of orders for the 737 MAX 8 and the yet-to-be-certified MAX 7. Due to the delivery delays, Southwest has reduced its flight numbers to airports like Minneapolis, where it operated 885 flights in January 2025, down from 1,100 in January 2024.
The challenges with Boeing have compounded several internal changes at Southwest, spearheaded by Elliott Investment Management, which began purchasing significant stakes in the airline in 2024. Elliott is attempting to alter Southwest's operational model to enhance its appeal and financial performance. The modifications include introducing a new basic-economy fare, eliminating the open seating policy, beginning red-eye flights, and ending the "Two bags fly free" policy. These steps aim to align Southwest more closely with legacy carriers.
