Southwest Airlines has recently revealed its plans to shutter two of its flight attendant bases as part of the airline's ongoing initiatives to streamline operations and cut costs. The affected bases are located at Florida’s Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Texas’ Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). These bases, which are smaller satellite locations solely dedicated to accommodating flight attendants, are set to close their doors in July 2025. Around 280 flight attendants will be impacted by this move, but they will be transferred to nearby crew hubs for continued employment.

In a statement to Pilotcenter.net News, Southwest Airlines spokesperson Chris Perry explained the reasoning behind the decision, saying, “We are consolidating our flight attendant satellite bases into our primary 12 base cities as we work to further maximize our operational efficiency and reliability.” This strategic shift aligns with the carrier's broader transformational plan aimed at optimizing operational efficiencies and cost savings, as articulated by President and CEO Bob Jordan earlier this year. Jordan emphasized the company's commitment to streamlining its workforce, with a particular focus on reducing corporate and leadership positions to enhance agility and competitiveness.

Bob Jordan shared, “We have made the very tough decision to move forward with a reduction in our workforce, focused almost entirely on Corporate and Leadership positions.” This move is anticipated to impact approximately 1,750 employee roles, amounting to about 15% of corporate positions within the organization. Jordan acknowledged the significance of these changes, highlighting the necessity of making difficult decisions to propel Southwest Airlines towards a leaner, faster, and more adaptable future.

Southwest Airlines anticipates substantial cost savings of around $210 million for the partial-year 2025 and approximately $300 million for the full-year 2026 as a result of these restructuring efforts. The airline remains committed to navigating through these challenging times with a keen focus on operational efficiency and financial sustainability.