Southwest Airlines is cutting back on flights to some airports − and pulling out of a few others − because of a disappointing financial start to 2024 and delays in receiving new planes.
During its first-quarter 2024 call with investors on Thursday, April 25, Southwest said it would end service at four airports and cut the frequency of routes at two others. Some of those cuts affects flights at Jackson Medgar Wiley Evers Airport.
“To improve our financial performance, we have intensified our network optimization efforts to address underperforming markets,” Southwest President and CEO Bob Jordan said in a statement on the airline’s first-quarter 2024 earnings call.
Beginning in June, Southwest will reduce its daily flights in Jackson to four. However, it is maintaining service to all current markets of Atlanta, Baltimore/Washington, Houston, and Orlando. This adjustment represents a change from their usual five to seven daily flights.
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“Southwest Airlines, impacted by the shortage of newly built airplanes, has conducted a thorough review of its network schedules and implemented necessary changes across many cities they serve,” JMAA said in a statement to the Clarion Ledger. “Despite this adjustment, JAN continues to be well-served by the four largest U.S. carriers (American, Delta, Southwest, and United). With flights to eight major global hubs, Jacksonians and travelers from central Mississippi retain access to worldwide destinations with one-stop connections to cities across six continents.”
Southwest started back service in Jackson in June of 2021 after a seven year layoff.
The airline’s departure in 2014 after 17 years of service also dealt a blow to the Jackson airport, as it provided 27% of available seats out of Jackson at the time, according to a Jackson State University study.
What airports is Southwest cutting?
Southwest said it will end service at four airports:
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Bellingham International Airport in Bellingham, Washington.
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Cozumel International Airport in Cozumel, Mexico.
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George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas. (Southwest will continue to fly to Houston Hobby)
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Syracuse Hancock International Airport in Syracuse, New York.
Why is Southwest Airlines cutting flights and airports?
Jordan, Southwest’s CEO, said in the earnings call that the airline posted a net loss of $231 million in the first three months of 2024, despite record operating revenues. A net loss is when a company’s expenses are higher than its income.
Southwest also expects to fly fewer planes than it planned because of Boeing’s delays in delivering new aircraft. He said the delays present “significant challenges for 2024 and 2025.” For instance, he now expects Boeing to deliver about 20 737-8 planes in 2024; the airline previously expected 46 planes.
Ross Reily can be reached by email at rreily@gannett.com or 601-573-2952. You can follow him on Twitter @GreenOkra1.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Southwest Airlines to cut back on Jackson MS flights