Southwest Airlines will open a crew base at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in March 2026, expanding its Texas footprint and creating more than 2,000 jobs. The base will start with roughly 335 pilots and 650 flight attendants and reach full size by mid‑2027; the city offered $2,750 per new hire.
Discovered |
Briefing
Creates more than 2,000 local jobs — initially ~335 pilots and 650 flight attendants — with Austin agreeing to $2,750 per new hire; the move anchors Southwest in a market where a dedicated SAF supply has just launched at AUS.
Continues a broader industry trend of carriers establishing permanent pilot and crew domiciles, comparable to Alaska opening a San Diego pilot base.
Reinforces Southwest's network and operational expansion amid schedule changes that suppliers say could add roughly 150,000 passengers per day, with implications for staffing, ground handling and airport capacity.
Reported By
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Southwest to open crew base at Austin in 1Q26 • ch-aviation
Southwest to Open New Crew Base at Austin Bergstrom International Airport • airportindustry-news.com
Southwest Airlines to open a new Crew Base in Austin, Texas • airlinergs.com
(DE) Southwest Airlines opens new crew base in Austin • aerotelegraph.com
Southwest to Open Austin Crew Base, Creating Up to 2,000 Jobs • atxjetsetter.com
Southwest to Open New Crew Base • Airline Geeks
