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Southwest Airlines closing crew bases
Southwest Airlines is continuing on its cost-cutting blitz.
The airline will close two flight attendant bases in Austin, Texas, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The bases will shutter this summer affecting about 280 flight attendants, who will be relocated to other crew bases.
These bases are smaller ‘satellites’ which don’t include any pilots.
“We are consolidating our flight attendant satellite bases into our primary 12 base cities as we work to further maximize our operational efficiency,” airline spokesman Chris Perry said.
“This change will ultimately help strengthen our crew network and support a more reliable operation.”
This is the latest in a series of fundamental cutbacks the airline has embarked on since activist investor Elliott Management secured seats on the board.
Just last month Southwest announced its first ever layoffs of about 1,750 corporate staff.
Other moves will include premium seating options and it has started red eye flights to improve efficiency.
While the crew base downsizing won’t likely impact service for customers, another major change will.
Southwest Airlines has just devalued its points earning system for its Rapid Rewards program.
Without warning, it has significantly downgraded the number of points earned on its lowest fares, effective immediately.
It has cut accruable points by up to 67% .
For Wanna Get Away fares, it has lowered it from 6x points per dollar to 2x points per dollar.
For Wanna Get Away Plus fares, it is reduced from 8x points per dollar to 6x points per dollar.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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