Southwest Airlines announces staff cuts at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Wednesday morning, Southwest Airlines confirmed Channel 2 Action News that the company will reduce its workforce in the Atlanta area as it “continues to optimize its network to meet demand and maximize profitability.”

According to the airline, current booking patterns “simply do not allow us to maintain our current level of service at ATL.”

For this reason, the number of employees at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport will be reduced.

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However, the airline said that all employees would be given the opportunity to change jobs and that the schedule changes would not come into effect for six months.

“With these changes, we are targeting markets with below-average demand, focusing on local passengers with service to and from Southwest’s strengths (for example, AUS, DEN, DAL) and maintaining network accessibility with comprehensive service to backbone stations such as BWI, HOU and MDW,” Southwest said. Channel 2 Action News in a statement.

The company went even further, saying that while it would “reduce” staffing at Atlanta airport, it would use that airport to expand service in Nashville and six other markets, including Albuquerque, Albany, Jackson, Memphis (including service within Tennessee for the first time), Providence and Tulsa.

Regarding the immediate situation in Atlanta, a Southwest Airlines spokesperson said: “Decisions like this are difficult for our company because they impact our employees. But we have been ensuring their safety for over 53 years.”

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