Southwest nearly doubles footprint of hangar
and modernizes spaces where Technical Operations Employees maintain
the carrier's fleet
DALLAS, Feb. 16,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines
Co. (NYSE: LUV) is celebrating the completion of a multi-year,
$100 million project, which nearly
doubles the size of the airline's maintenance hangar at Phoenix Sky
Harbor. The 90,000-square foot expansion adds three new aircraft
bays to the facility, allowing the airline to work on up to five
aircraft simultaneously and brings more maintenance shops to
support the nearly 500 Southwest® Technical Operations
Employees based at Sky Harbor. The project also included a larger
facility for members of the airline's Provisioning and Ground
Support Equipment Maintenance Teams that opened in 2020.
"The Safety-first work to support a continuous renewal of our
fleet benefits our entire network and the community," said
Andrew Watterson, Chief Operating
Officer at Southwest Airlines. "Investing in our Arizona-based People by equipping them with
the latest tools, enhanced processes, and functional spaces is one
of the most impactful investments we can make at Southwest Airlines
and our future in Phoenix."
The expanded hangar has also achieved Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification. The expansion
incorporated sustainable design features including the use of
recycled content in over 30% of the building materials; the
installation of high-reflectance roof and surrounding paving
materials to reduce heat island effect; and the selection of
building products from manufacturers with verified environmental
performance.
Southwest Airlines® first opened a Technical
Operations base at Sky Harbor in 1986. In 1993, the airline moved
into a new maintenance hangar facility to support its growth
throughout the western half of the United
States. Today, the carrier's Phoenix-based Technical Operations Teams
accept new aircraft deliveries to prepare them to enter revenue
service and maintain aircraft as part of daily and scheduled
maintenance programs.
In addition to Phoenix,
Southwest operates hangar facilities in Atlanta, Chicago (Midway), Dallas (Love
Field), Denver,
Houston (Hobby), and Orlando. Construction is underway on a new
hangar facility at Baltimore/Washington International Airport,
which is anticipated to open in 2025.
Decades-Long Partnership Leads to Runway for Future
Success
Southwest began serving Sky Harbor in January 1982 with 13 daily flights. Today, the
carrier offers up to 220 departures a day, providing nonstop
service to 60 destinations across the
United States and Mexico1. In 2022, the airline
expanded its operations to operate from 32 gates including a new
eight-gate concourse built to support Southwest's growth. The
concourse included a new baggage handling system, more concessions,
and Employee-support spaces.
The airline's local workforce of more than 5,400 People share a
passion for making the Phoenix
area a great place to live, work, and visit. In 2023, Southwest
Employees volunteered more than 10,000 hours while supporting more
than 200 organizations focused on improving the quality of life for
those who call Arizona home.
"We are grateful to Southwest Airlines for believing in
Phoenix and going above and beyond
to plant roots in our community, whether it's through expanded
operations or countless volunteer hours with local
organizations," said Phoenix
Mayor Kate Gallego. "Phoenix is proud to be a major service market
for Southwest and we stand ready to continue welcoming millions
more passengers to the Valley of the Sun!"
To download high-resolution images and broadcast-quality b-roll
of Southwest's new Technical Operations facility, please visit the
Southwest Airlines® Newsroom at
swamedia.com/phoenixhangar.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world's most
admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and
Hospitality at 121 airports across 11 countries. Southwest took
flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable,
and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying
nonstop within the United States
than any other airline2. Based in Dallas and famous for an Employee-first
corporate Culture, Southwest maintains an unprecedented record of
no involuntary furloughs or layoffs in its history. By empowering
its nearly 75,0003 People to deliver
unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a
passionate loyalty among more than 137 million Customers carried in
2023. That formula for success brought industry-leading prosperity
and 47 consecutive years4 of profitability
for Southwest Shareholders (NYSE: LUV). Southwest leverages a
unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world
including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put
communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting
Southwest.com/citizenship. As the airline with Heart,
Southwest has set a goal to work toward achieving net zero carbon
emissions by 2050. Southwest has also set near-term targets and a
three-pillar strategy to achieve its environmental goals. Learn
more by visiting Southwest.com/planet.
1Based on flight scheduled published
through Nov. 2, 2024, as of
Feb. 16,
2024.
2Based on U.S. Dept. of
Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey
since Q1 2021
3Fulltime-equivalent active
Employees
41973-2019 annual
profitability
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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.