Southwest Airlines
will significantly scale back its operation at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
. The move comes as the low-cost carrier has been struggling with its profitability in some markets.

Hundreds of positions will reportedly be cut at the airport. The news is a precursor to the

airline’s investor day – scheduled for Thursday – which will highlight where other costs will be reduced as it seeks to grow its overall revenue
.

Slashing flight attendants and pilot positions

According to CNBC, Southwest is planning to reduce more than 300 pilot and flight attendant roles as it shrinks its service to and from ATL. However, the Dallas-based carrier explained to its staff that it will not be closing its crew base at the airport. By April of next year, it is expected that as many as 200 flight attendants
and 140 pilots
will be cut.

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-8H4 (N8512U) taking off from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

Photo: Felipe I Santiago | Shutterstock

Although the affected workers will not be separated from the airline, they will likely be relocated to Southwest’s other 11 bases: San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (OAK), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Denver International Airport (DEN), Dallas Love Field (DAL), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), Orlando International Airport (MCO), Nashville International Airport (BNA) Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).

“Everything we can before making difficult decisions”

Southwest will reduce the number of its gates at ATL from 18 to 11, according to a memo from the Southwest Airlines Pilot Association (SWAPA)
, which was obtained by CNBC. By March 2025, the carrier will serve 37 destinations from ATL, before drastically reducing its network to 21 destinations in the following month. Southwest’s COO Andrew Watterson reportedly told staff last week that it will have to make “difficult decisions” to boost its profits.

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 (N433LV) at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Photo:  Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

The airline commented on the upcoming changes in a memo to its employees, according to CNBC.

“Although we try everything we can before making difficult decisions like this one, we simply cannot afford continued losses and must make this change to help restore our profitability. This decision in no way reflects our Employees’ performance, and we’re proud of the Hospitality and the efforts they have made and will continue to make with our Customers in ATL.”

Bill Bernal, the President of TWU Local 556, the union representing Southwest’s flight attendants, blasted the airline and blamed management for making poor decisions.

“Southwest Airlines management is failing Employees while impacting Customers. Management continues to make decisions that lack full transparency, sufficient communication with Union leadership, and most alarmingly, a lack of focus on what has made the airline great, the Employees.”

Mounting pressure

Southwest has been facing mounting pressure from Elliott Investment Management Company, which has called for massive changes at the airline and suggested that the carrier’s CEO, Bob Jordan, resign. The carrier has since announced a shuffling of its leadership, which includes Chairman and former CEO Gary Kelly departing next year and appointing new board of directors.

In a cost-cutting move, Southwest also pulled all flights from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston last month.

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