WN Ceasing Operations In Three Cities - Airline Pilot Central Forums

jetliner1526 , 12-05-2013 10:16 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Southwest Airlines To Cease Operations In Three Cities - MarketWatch

REF 5 , 12-05-2013 11:05 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Well at least you know where the capacity will be coming from since they acquired those new LGA slots. Ain't no growth at SWA

80ktsClamp , 12-05-2013 12:11 PM

Da Hudge

Quote:

Originally Posted by REF 5

Well at least you know where the capacity will be coming from since they acquired those new LGA slots. Ain't no growth at SWA

You mean the slots for which there hasn't been an auction yet?

tsquare , 12-05-2013 12:19 PM

No longer cares

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80ktsClamp

You mean the slots for which there hasn't been an auction yet?

Auction? We're talking about an auction?

(For some reason I was reminded of this)

RP4242 , 12-05-2013 01:47 PM

Gets Weekends Off

There is no auction in LGA, just DCA will have one.

bhmdiversion , 12-05-2013 03:48 PM

Gets Weekends Off

WN Ceasing Operations In Three Cities

I'm hearing BHM might be on the chopping block since they have their contractual minimum daily departures (12). Anyone else hear this?

satpak77 , 12-05-2013 06:30 PM

Working weekends

appears strongly worded. "Closing" cities etc. "cease". (versus "seasonal adjustments" or "route changes") I have not seen this type of language from the SW PR machine. Wonder if this is insight into the planned pilot hiring.

Quote:

DALLAS, Dec. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Southwest Airlines announced today its decision to close three cities in the airline's network. On June 7, 2014, Southwest will cease operations at Branson Airport (BKG), Key West International Airport (EYW), and Jackson-Evers International Airport (JAN). Southwest began service to Jackson-Evers International in 1997. The airline added Branson Airport and Key West International Airport to its route map in 2012 as part of its integration with AirTran, a wholly-owned subsidiary.

"Unfortunately, the level of local demand no longer allows Southwest to profitably serve these markets," said Bob Jordan, Southwest's Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. "Southwest takes pride in becoming not only a great choice for air travel in the cities we serve, but we also become a member of the community. These decisions are never easy."

The Company's priority is to take excellent care of its dedicated Employees, Partners, and Customers in these markets. Southwest Employees at these locations have performed superbly and will have the opportunity to move elsewhere within the airline, after operations cease next year.

Over the next six months, Southwest will operate its full schedule at each of these cities, and there will be no disruption to reservations for travel through June 6, 2014. For exact service details for each city, visit Fact Sheets - Releases - Southwest Airlines Newsroom .

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.In its 42nd year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines LUV +0.56% continues to differentiate itself from other carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by nearly 46,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually. Southwest is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating passengers boarded, and including wholly-owned subsidiary, AirTran Airways, operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world to serve 96 destinations in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and five near-international countries. Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People and Planet. To read about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good corporate citizen, visit southwest.com/citizenship to read the Southwest Airlines One Report(TM).

Southwest Airlines | Book Flights, Airline Tickets, Airfare

SOURCE Southwest Airlines

Stratosphere , 12-05-2013 06:38 PM

Gets Weekends Off

Cities closing

Branson ok maybe I can see that but Key West and Jackson? Kinda wonder whats up with that..Personally I live in MEM and am not happy that AirTran is gone. I used to buy my tickets on AT they were reasonable and upgrades super cheap. In fact I have an upgrade that is going to go to waste thanks to SW pulling AT out of MEM. Now I have SW cattle car seating to look forward too? No thanks. Count me among the unhappy over this merger

ZapBrannigan , 12-06-2013 02:25 AM

Furloughed Again?!

WN Ceasing Operations In Three Cities

Branson subsidized AirTran's original service into their new airport. I'm surprised they wouldn't continue the subsidy for SW. Honestly I'm surprised that the airline can't make money in that market. Branson is an extremely popular destination for outdoor sportsmen, religious tourists, and families. It is a lot like Vegas without casinos - but it is also a beautiful and very affordable part of the country to vacation in. Check out Big Cedar resort. It's owned by the guy who started Bass Pro Shop.
Silver Dollar City is one of the most beautifully themed amusement parks in the country.

#10

REF 5 , 12-06-2013 06:29 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:
I'm surprised they wouldn't continue the subsidy for SW. Honestly I'm surprised that the airline can't make money in that market.

They are probably are making some money on those markets or close to it. It's the fact the yields are going to be better with those slots they just acquired in LGA. Since Gary Kelly has said numerous times they are not growing fleet wise, airplanes or routes have to come from somewhere to cover they new flying. Wait till the Wright amendment goes away. You will see "right sizing" of certain markets to fill those new flights out of Love Field.

Most of the new hiring is to cover the new part 117 rules and attrition.

Quote:
I'm hearing BHM might be on the chopping block since they have their contractual minimum daily departures (12). Anyone else hear this?

Anything less than 12 flights a day the company can contract out ramp and gate staff. All international flights that SWA will absorb from Airtran will not have SWA people other than in a managerial/supervisor role. Even in SJU(although not international) which has about 12 a day is all contract staff.

Quote:
Count me among the unhappy over this merger

I'm pretty sure their are a lot of SWA employees who feel the same and majority of Airtran employees who feel the same way. Welcome to the new reality. I hear load factors out of ATL are half of what the normal SWA system is. Delta is kicking SWA arse in ATL. The best part is Delta didn't have to do a thing. SWA just keeps closing stations. BMI,MLI,PHF,SRQ,PNS,BUF,ROC,BDL and now BKG. All monopoly routes now for Delta.