Southwest Airlines to open Austin crew base in 2026, create 2,000 jobs

December 12, 2025 3:14 PM EST

Southwest airline pilots approach to land at San Diego International airport in San Diego, California, U.S., May 18, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Blake

Dec 12 (Reuters) - Southwest ⁠Airlines ⁠said ‍on Friday it would open a crew base at Austin-Bergstrom International ‍Airport in March 2026, creating more ​than 2,000 jobs as the carrier looks to ​expand its footprint in fast-growing central Texas.

Most of the new Austin base staff will include captains, ​first officers and flight attendants, supported by leadership and administrative teams, the ​airline said.

Southwest also plans to add a recurring training ‌facility for flight attendants as part of its broader business transformation.

The carrier ​expects the Austin base ⁠to open in early March with about 335 pilots and ‌650 flight attendants, growing to roughly 2,000 employees by mid-2027.

The airline said the decision ‌followed months of planning and talks with Austin ‌city officials and Texas economic development leaders, aiming to boost the airline's long-term growth and operational ‍efficiency in the state.

Southwest also said it will strengthen partnerships ⁠with local workforce programs and the airport's career center to support hiring and training for the new base.

(Reporting by Apratim Sarkar; Editing by Maju Samuel)



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