SOUTHWEST AIRLINES TO OPEN NEW CREW BASE FOR PILOTS AND FLIGHT ATTENDANTS AT AUSTIN BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (AUS)

Rhea-AI Summary

Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) will open a new Crew Base for pilots and flight attendants at Austin Bergstrom International Airport in March 2026, creating more than 2,000 jobs and supporting the carrier's Central Texas growth.

The base will start with about 335 pilots and 650 flight attendants, add a recurring flight-attendant training facility, and is expected to reach 2,000 employees by mid-2027. Southwest operates more than 130 peak-day departures from Austin and served approximately 6.7 million customers in 2024. New nonstop routes will bring Austin's total to 53 destinations.

Positive

• Creates over 2,000 jobs in Austin by mid-2027
• Initial staffing: 335 pilots and 650 flight attendants in March 2026
• Adds a recurring flight-attendant training facility in Austin
• Expands network to 53 nonstop destinations from Austin

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

New jobs at AUS more than 2,000 jobs Crew Base for Pilots and Flight Attendants in Austin

Peak-day departures AUS more than 130 departures Austin Bergstrom International Airport operations in 2024

Customers served 2024 approximately 6.7 million Customers Southwest traffic through Austin in 2024

Nonstop destinations AUS 53 destinations Total nonstop destinations from Austin after new routes

Initial Pilots at base approximately 335 Pilots Expected staffing at Austin base opening in March 2026

Initial Flight Attendants 650 Flight Attendants Expected staffing at Austin base opening in March 2026

Base size mid-2027 2,000 Employees Expected total Austin crew base staffing by mid-2027

New nonstop destinations 3 destinations Fort Myers, Palm Springs, Steamboat Springs from Austin next March

Market Reality Check

$41.17 Last Close

Volume Volume 22,717,944 is 2.56x the 20-day average, signaling elevated interest ahead of the Austin base expansion. high

Technical Shares trade above the 200-day MA of 31.96 and sit less than 1% below the 52-week high of 41.14.

Peers on Argus 1 Up

LUV gained 2.28% with strong volume while major peers were mixed: DAL, UAL, ALK, and SKYW were modestly higher but AAL declined. Momentum scanner only flagged ALGT up 5.23%, suggesting today’s move in LUV is more company-specific around its Austin growth plans than a broad airlines rally.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 02	Transatlantic partnership	Positive	+1.9%	New Condor partnership enabling same-ticket transatlantic connections from major U.S. cities.
Nov 25	Network expansion	Positive	+3.3%	Extended booking window with added late-summer 2026 capacity and new West Coast and Hawaii routes.
Nov 20	Dividend declaration	Positive	-2.4%	Announcement of the 187th quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per share.
Nov 05	Leadership change	Neutral	-0.3%	Appointment of Danielle Collins as Managing Director of Investor Relations to lead shareholder outreach.
Nov 04	International partnership	Positive	-2.5%	Interline deal with Philippine Airlines to expand transoceanic options via key U.S. gateways.

Pattern Detected

Strategic growth and partnership news has often coincided with positive moves, but there have been notable divergences around income returns and some partnership announcements.

Recent Company History

Over the past few months, Southwest has focused on network expansion and strategic partnerships, including new interline deals with Philippine Airlines and Condor and added capacity across California and Hawaii. It also maintained shareholder returns with a $0.18 quarterly dividend and refreshed leadership in Investor Relations. Price reactions were mixed: growth and partnership headlines on Nov 25 and Dec 2 saw gains, while the dividend and a November partnership drew negative responses. Today’s Austin crew base news extends this growth-focused trajectory.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Southwest’s continued expansion in Austin, adding a new crew base with more than 2,000 jobs and growing to 53 nonstop destinations from AUS. It builds on recent network growth and partnership initiatives detailed in prior news. Investors may track how this capacity aligns with updated EBIT expectations around $500 million and recent debt issuance of $1.5 billion, as well as execution on broader transformation efforts.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Texas-based Southwest continues decades of investment in Austin and Texas through airport growth, job opportunities, and community partnerships

DALLAS, Dec. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) announced today that a new Crew Base for Pilots and Flight Attendants will open in March 2026 in Austin, Texas, creating more than 2,000 new jobs based at Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and positioning the airline for continued growth in Central Texas.

Most Employees at the new Base will be Captains, First Officers, and Flight Attendants, supported by new Base Leadership and supporting staff. Southwest is also planning to add a recurring training facility for Flight Attendants as part of its ongoing business transformation.

"This investment demonstrates our commitment to Austin and to our Customers," said Bob Jordan, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Vice Chairman of the Board. "As the largest carrier at Austin Bergstrom International Airport, we appreciate the vision of Governor Abbott and Mayor Watson in clearing the way for Austin to become an even bigger part of our future."

Southwest is Austin's largest air carrier with more than 130 peak-day departures that served approximately 6.7 million Customers in 2024¹. Next March, new service begins to popular leisure destinations, including Fort Myers, Fla., Palm Springs, Calif., and Steamboat Springs (Hayden), Colo., bringing the total of nonstop destinations from Austin to 53.

Southwest also will begin daily service between Austin and Cincinnati, Ohio, next June, and has increased seasonal service in markets such as Pensacola, Fla.

Southwest expects to open the new base in early March, starting with approximately 335 Pilots and 650 Flight Attendants. By mid-2027, the base will reach its expected size of 2,000 total Employees.

The decision to open a Crew Base comes after months of careful analysis among operational planners at Southwest, as well as engagement with leaders from the City of Austin and the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office under Gov. Greg Abbott. The move further positions Austin to play an important role in the airline's long-term growth and sustained operational efficiency in Texas.

As part of its agreement with the City of Austin, Southwest will continue to nurture its partnership with the Austin Workforce Solutions by collaborating with the Austin Infrastructure Academy and expanding its existing partnership with AUS on its youth internship program. The airline also will partner with the airport's AUS Career Center, which will serve as a critical connection point for all open positions at Southwest Airlines in Austin.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world's most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 117 airports across 11 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline¹. By empowering its more than 72,000² People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 140 million Customers carried in 2024. Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.

1. Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey as of Q1 2025
2. Fulltime-equivalent active Employees as of September 30, 2025

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/southwest-airlines-to-open-new-crew-base-for-pilots-and-flight-attendants-at-austin-bergstrom-international-airport-aus-302640233.html

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.

FAQ

When will Southwest (LUV) open the new Austin crew base?

Southwest expects the Austin crew base to open in March 2026.

How many jobs will the Southwest (LUV) Austin base create?

The Austin base will create more than 2,000 jobs, reaching that size by mid-2027.

How many pilots and flight attendants will start at the Austin base for LUV in March 2026?

The base will begin with about 335 pilots and 650 flight attendants.

Will Southwest (LUV) add training facilities in Austin with the new base?

Yes. Southwest plans to add a recurring flight-attendant training facility as part of the base.

How will the Austin base affect Southwest's route network from AUS?

Southwest will add new nonstop service and reach a total of 53 nonstop destinations from Austin.