Airlines

Southwest Airlines Announces New Crew Base for Pilots and Flight Attendants

Southwest Airlines announced the addition of a Crew Base at Nashville International Airport (BNA) in the second quarter of 2024, strengthening its ties to Music City. With an expected 150–250 Pilots, who will increase to 500–600 Pilots, and a projected 500–700 Flight Attendants based in the new Crew site starting in 2024, Nashville will become the 12th Crew Base in the Southwest® system, with further expansion anticipated.

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According to Andrew Watterson, chief operating officer of Southwest Airlines, “hundreds of Southwest Employees who work in the air and on the ground already consider Middle Tennessee to be their hometown, with our presence in Nashville remaining a key factor to our success, future growth, and the Reliability of our network.” Given our affection for Nashville and the crucial role it plays in our network, building a Crew Base and strengthening our ties to Music City are obvious choices for additional investments.

On March 18, 1986, Southwest Airlines® started offering service to BNA, with eight nonstop departures each day to Chicago (Midway) and Houston (Hobby). Since then, it has expanded to operate more flights and carry more passengers, becoming the largest carrier at BNA, with up to 166 daily departures to 57 cities nonstop, and it now employs approximately 1,000 people.

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With a goal of having 20 gates altogether by the end of the year to accommodate future passengers travelling into and out of Nashville, the airline is working to add four gates in the fourth quarter of 2023 to support its operation.

By investing in partnerships and initiatives that have a positive influence on the economy, society, and environment, Southwest Airlines continues to expand its corporate citizenship and outreach efforts. The carrier is putting its Heart into action by encouraging each employee to succeed through service to others, creating programmes to serve the needs of its many diverse communities, and interacting with business, civic, and community leaders in order to become a globally renowned corporate citizen and foster real connections that strengthen communities.

Southwest keeps funding upcoming BNA projects. BNA launched a restored and redesigned Grand Lobby earlier this year. To improve the customer experience of those leaving BNA, the carrier is in the process of moving its ticket desks. Additionally, Southwest is still working to improve the BNA airport’s infrastructure, equipment availability, and overall winter availability in order to support employees in operating more effectively and dependably during severe weather.

Airlines

Air India Express Aircraft Engine Part Falls Outside Delhi Airport; DGCA Orders Probe

Air India Express flight skids off runway while landing at Kochi airport

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an inquiry following reports that metal fragments were discovered at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after an Air India Express flight made an emergency landing on Monday evening.

The emergency landing was prompted by a detected engine fault, but fortunately, the landing was executed safely without any injuries to the passengers.

The situation began when crew members of the Air India Express flight reported an engine issue, leading to the emergency landing. The DGCA has confirmed that a thorough investigation is underway and has directed that the aircraft undergo a comprehensive safety inspection.

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The discovery of metal debris outside the airport has raised concerns, prompting the DGCA to probe whether these fragments are linked to the aircraft involved in the emergency landing. Authorities are particularly focused on whether the metal pieces, which were found near the airport, originated from the same Air India Express flight that experienced engine trouble.

While preliminary assessments suggest that the debris could be a broken blade from an aircraft engine, the exact source remains unconfirmed. The airline has yet to verify if the metal fragments are from their aircraft.

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The Delhi Police, working in conjunction with the DGCA, have initiated their own investigation to determine the origin of the metal pieces. A technical team is set to analyze whether the fragments are associated with the aircraft in question. As the investigation continues, a case has been filed with the airport authority to address the matter.