Southwest Airlines Ends Operations at Four Airports and Plans to Fire 2,000 Employees in Major Shake-Up after Disappointing Q1 Earnings [Video]

Southwest Airlines said on Thursday it will cut 2,000 jobs and close operations at four airports after warning of increased costs and reduced revenue growth due to a decline in new aircraft deliveries from Boeing. The airline will no longer fly from Cozumel in Mexico, Syracuse, New York, Bellingham, Washington, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.

The Dallas-based airline said that it will only receive 20 aircraft from Boeing this year, a significant decrease from the 46 estimated in March. This reduction comes as the troubled Boeing continues to grapple with a safety crisis triggered by a mid-air cabin panel blowout on an Alaska Air flight in early January.

Southwest in Crisis

Southwest Airlines issued a warning, expressing uncertainty about Boeing’s ability to meet the latest delivery schedule. CEO Bob Jordan highlighted that the delivery delays would pose “significant challenges” for the carrier throughout this year and into the next.

This marks …