Southwest Airlines(US:LUV) Prnewswire·2025-12-12 19:00Core Insights - Southwest Airlines is set to open a new Crew Base in Austin, Texas, in March 2026, which will create over 2,000 jobs at Austin Bergstrom International Airport [1][4] - The airline is the largest carrier at Austin Bergstrom, with more than 130 peak-day departures and approximately 6.7 million customers served in 2024 [3][7] - The new base will initially employ around 335 pilots and 650 flight attendants, with plans to reach a total of 2,000 employees by mid-2027 [4][5] Job Creation and Economic Impact - The new Crew Base will significantly contribute to job creation in the Austin area, enhancing local employment opportunities [1][4] - Southwest Airlines is committed to collaborating with local workforce initiatives, including partnerships with the Austin Workforce Solutions and the AUS Career Center [6] Service Expansion - The airline plans to introduce new services to popular leisure destinations, increasing the total number of nonstop destinations from Austin to 53 [3] - Daily service between Austin and Cincinnati, Ohio, will commence in June, alongside increased seasonal service to markets like Pensacola, Florida [4] Strategic Growth - The decision to establish the Crew Base follows extensive operational analysis and engagement with local leaders, positioning Austin as a key player in Southwest's long-term growth strategy [5] - The investment reflects the airline's commitment to the Austin community and its customers, as stated by the CEO [3]