**Airline Industry Shake-Up: Southwest Airlines to Scale Back Atlanta Operations**
In a move aimed at restoring profitability, Southwest Airlines has announced plans to reduce its presence at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the world’s busiest airport and home hub of rival Delta Air Lines. According to an internal memo, the airline will cut over 300 pilot and flight attendant positions, effective April 2025.
The decision comes as Southwest faces mounting pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management to improve its financial performance. While the airline is not closing its Atlanta crew base, it will reduce staffing by up to 200 flight attendants and 140 pilots. Affected employees will need to bid to work from other cities.
As part of the restructuring, Southwest will consolidate its operations from 18 gates to 11, according to the pilots’ union. The airline cited unsustainable losses as the reason for the move, emphasizing that the decision does not reflect on the performance of its employees.
This development is the latest in a series of changes for Southwest, which recently announced plans to eliminate open seating and introduce extra legroom options on its aircraft. The airline’s Chief Operating Officer has warned that tough decisions are necessary to boost profits.
The reduction in Atlanta operations is a significant shift for Southwest, which has been a major player at the airport. As the airline navigates this transition, it remains to be seen how the changes will impact its customers and the broader aviation industry.
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