Southwest Airlines announced the addition of a Crew Base at Nashville International Airport (BNA) in the second quarter of 2024 this week, marking the airline company’s 12th Crew Base in its system.
BIG NEWS: Starting 2024, #BNA will become a new base crew for @Southwest Airlines! We’re thrilled to further our partnership with Southwest and are grateful for their continued commitment to Music City. Read more details here: https://t.co/uGtYllPNhr pic.twitter.com/U37gU4TnUO
— Fly Nashville (@Fly_Nashville) August 15, 2023
According to the company, the new Crew Base will house an estimated 500-700 Flight Attendants and 150-200 Pilots beginning next year, with continued growth plans on the horizon to eventually house 500-600 Pilots.
“This is an outstanding and momentous announcement that truly reflects our valuable partnership with Southwest Airlines and signifies our shared vision of elevating travel to new heights,” NBA president and CEO Doug Kreulen said in a statement. “Southwest Airlines’ dedication to safety, service, and innovation perfectly aligns with our commitment to providing our customers with an unparalleled experience, and we’re thrilled for this expansion.”
In a video statement, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee cheered the company’s Crew Base project at BNA, calling it “exciting news.”
As a global travel destination & business hub, TN is proud to be named @SouthwestAir's newest Crew Base.
This expansion will bring 1,300 new jobs & more flights to TN, creating greater opportunity for families & businesses across the region. pic.twitter.com/qHQztSpcQk
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) August 15, 2023
“We’re honored Southwest, a leading American company serving millions of travelers each year, will be expanding its reach to the Volunteer State,” Lee said.
Southwest first began service to BNA on March 18, 1986, with eight daily nonstop departures to Chicago (Midway) and Houston (Hobby). Now, the airline has grown to be the largest carrier at BNA, offering up to 166 departures a day to 57 cities nonstop and currently housing nearly 1,000 Southwest employees.
In addition to its newly-announced Crew Base, Southwest is also working on adding four new gates at BNA – bringing the total number of the company’s gates at the airport to 20.
“Hundreds of Southwest Employees who work in the air and on the ground already consider their hometown to be in Middle Tennessee, with our presence in Nashville remaining a key factor to our success, future growth, and the Reliability of our network,” said Andrew Watterson, Chief Operating Officer at Southwest Airlines. “Given our love for Nashville and the critical importance it plays in our network, it’s a natural choice to make further investments by adding a Crew Base and doubling down on our commitment to Music City.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
