Southwest Airlines (LUV) announced that it will be reducing daily flights this coming fall season in the months of September and October 2021.
The flight reductions are intended to help fix operational issues which caused flight delays and cancellations during the summer of 2021. Their plans include improving staff alignment with operations and hiring new staff.
The airline said that it will cut an average of 27 flights a day from September 7, 2021, to October 6, 2021, and 162 daily flights from October 7, 2021, to November 5, 2021. They also said that there are plans to make additional cuts in November and December of 2021 but they will ensure that holiday bookings will be protected.
“To any Southwest customer whose journey with us fell short of their expectation this summer, we offer our sincerest apologies. We’re confident these adjustments will create a more reliable travel experience,” Southwest Chief Executive Gary Kelly said in a statement.
Considering the reduced flights, Southwest will operate about 3,300 flights in September, and 3,420 in October 2021.