Southwest Airlines Celebrates One-Year Anniversary of Atlanta Service with Opening of Atlanta People Department, Announcement of Atlanta Pilot Base

Southwest Will Open a Pilot Domicile at World’s Busiest Airport in August 2013

2013-02-13 — /travelprnews.com/ — On the one-year anniversary of Southwest Airlines’ first flights into the world’s busiest airport, the carrier celebrated by opening its Atlanta People Department and announcing the carrier’s newest Pilot base at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport opening in August 2013.

A representative of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s office, City of Atlanta Chief Operating Officer Duriya Farooqui, as well as Georgia Department of Labor Commissioner Mark Butler joined the Southwest celebration at the company’s newly renovated Atlanta Corporate Center. The facility, formerly the AirTran Atlanta Corporate Center, will house the airline’s People Department, where human resources activities for Atlanta will take place. In addition, the building will serve as the hub for Employee training and also include a consolidated call center.

The new Pilot base, the airline’s tenth, will be home to at least 200 Pilots, with potential to grow as needed.  Southwest will share the current AirTran Airways pilot space while the Company continues to integrate the two airlines.

“Southwest Airlines LUVs to celebrate,” said Jeff Lamb, Southwest’s Executive Vice President and Chief People and Administration Officer.  “We celebrate holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries … but most of all, we celebrate our People. Our Employees are what make this Company strong, and we are very pleased to invest in a facility here in Atlanta dedicated to helping our Employees be the best in the industry.”

The Pilot base announced today will serve as an office on the ground for Southwest’s Pilots.  Those who are stationed in Atlanta will report to these offices before and after trips to receive briefings, to access required reading material, to learn about any changes in policies or schedules, and to catch up on Southwest news.

Southwest currently operates nine bases nationwide.  Additional Southwest crew domiciles are located in Baltimore/Washington, Chicago Midway, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Phoenix, Oakland, Orlando, and Las Vegas.

Southwest Airlines began service to Atlanta on Feb. 12, 2012, with 15 daily nonstop departures to five destinations. The airline currently operates 29 daily nonstop flights to 12 destinations from Atlanta.  AirTran Airways currently has 159 daily nonstop departures to 46 cities.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

Beginning its 2nd year of service in Atlanta, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by nearly 46,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually.  Read more in the Corporate Fact Sheet.

Southwest is proud to be the official airline of the Atlanta Falcons and a presenting sponsor of the Georgia Aquarium, as well as partner of Piedmont Park Conservancy and the Southwest Porch at Park Tavern, a year-round venue to connect with Customers as they enjoy Atlanta’s most visited greenspace. In addition to being named one of Atlanta’s “Best Places to Work,” Southwest is also a strong supporter of UNCF, The Atlanta Business League and many other community and business organizations. Read more about Southwest’s and AirTran’s employment, facilities, and flight service in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
southwest.com

Media Contact: Southwest Airlines Communication (214) 792-4847 or swamedia.com

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