Will Southwest's financial hits, delivery mishaps impact Nashville flights, crew base?

Southwest Airlines' delivery of a new Nashville International Airport crew base will arrive on time despite operational hurdles this year.

Southwest is also increasing its route schedule at BNA, solidifying its place as the airport's dominant carrier.

"As we restructure our overall network, Nashville will see some incremental growth with three new destinations coming online for Nashville travelers beginning in June," Southwest spokesperson Dan Landson said, adding that BNA will host 155 daily Southwest departures on peak travel days.

New daily Nashville routes will start in June to Cincinnati, Ohio, Richmond, Va. and Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C.

Meanwhile, Southwest's 12th U.S. crew hub is scheduled to open in the next few weeks at Nashville International Airport. The move will double the number of airline staff in Music City to 600 pilots and 700 flight attendants.

But this local expansion comes as the airline grapples with a $231 million blow in the first quarter and recent delays to Boeing airplane deliveries. High costs and reduced airplane supply is expected to limit routes across airlines and continue to challenge the air-travel industry through 2025.

Rising costs, safety challenges quelch Southwest Airlines growth

Last week, Southwest said it will stop its service altogether at Bellingham International Airport, Cozumel International Airport, Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Syracuse Hancock International Airport on August 4. It is also planning reduced service at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

Though the commercial carrier reported ongoing record revenues of $6.7 billion this year, the company said rising costs drove a $231 million net loss in the first quarter. Operating expenses ballooned 16.5% over the first quarter of 2023. Salaries, wages and benefits jumped 18.5% over last year, while rising labor and maintenance costs also applied pressure on the budget.

Southwest isn't alone in its challenges. American Airlines officials responded to airplane shortages on Friday by announcing decreases to its route schedules through 2025 and said customers would be refunded who already bought tickets.

Boeing 737 MAX jet production is being curtailed by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration amid safety reviews.

Boeing also reported first quarter revenue declines last week as it navigates scrutiny from federal regulators following a door plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines flight from Oregon to California.

Southwest Airlines President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Jordan said the company is focused on cutting costs and maximizing operational efficiency to reduce impacts on passengers and shareholders.

"Achieving our financial goals is an immediate imperative," Jordan said. "We are reacting and replanning quickly to mitigate the operational and financial impacts while maintaining dependable and reliable flight schedules for our customers."

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville airport: Southwest increases route options despite hurdles