Southwest Airlines

CEO Gary Kelly says LCC is ‘prepared for a prolonged war against this pandemic.’

As airlines and airports around the world recover from the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Routes' latest infographic looks at the current state of the global aviation market.

Carrier reports July load factors in the 40-45% range.

A sudden reversal in incrementally positive demand trends will force Southwest Airlines to scale back its 2020 capacity plans, but executives are confident that the headwinds will not force it to cut staff beyond what voluntary programs will accomplish.

The announcement comes less than a week after the Treasury agreed to terms with five of the other largest carriers in the US.

Controversial move is in contrast to rival Delta Air Lines, which caps capacity at 60% on all flights.

Southwest Airlines estimates having enough liquidity to survive another two years at current demand levels, positioning it to challenge the “Big 3” U.S. carriers for domestic market share through an anticipated COVID-19 recovery.

As airlines and airports around the world recover from the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Routes' latest infographic looks at the current state of the global aviation market.

Leisure demand can boost Oakland International after American Airlines’ exit.

While most large U.S. carriers plan to be 20-30% smaller by year end, Southwest Airlines is bucking the trend.

The U.S. FAA will order Boeing 777 operators to validate the accuracy of fuel-quantity check systems following reports that inaccurate tank status data caused aircraft to depart with too little fuel for their planned missions, leading to at least 10 diversions.

Southwest Airlines plans to shrink its headcount through employee buyouts, as it seeks to align staffing levels with the decline in demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

American Airlines is dropping Oakland International from its route network.

Southwest Airlines has said it received its second disbursement of payroll support from the U.S. federal government, which will enable the airline carrying the most U.S. domestic air passengers to avoid furloughs or shrinking the size of the LCC through Sept. 30.

The LCC can put off downsizing decision until after Sept. 30 as assistance keeps carrier intact during COVID-19 pandemic.

Routes’ latest North America market round-up, featuring new route launches, capacity changes and news from across the region.

Routes' latest update on how airlines and airports across North America are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Routes' latest update on how airlines and airports across North America are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Routes' latest update on how airlines and airports across North America are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The LCC does not see a return to normalcy for air traffic demand in the foreseeable future.

Southwest Airlines executives see signs that travel demand may have bottomed out, but are bracing for a slow, bumpy recovery that will require substantial flexibility in everything from short-term flight schedules to the U.S. domestic giant’s long-term fleet strategy.

Routes' latest update on how airlines and airports across North America are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Southwest Airlines chairman and CEO Gary Kelly pledged the company would “exhaust all other efforts” before shrinking its workforce but cautioned such reductions may eventually be needed amid the extensive downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Routes' latest update on how airlines and airports across North America are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic

Airlines did not expect to have to pay back 30% of assistance.