Southwest Airlines will establish a new pilot and flight attendant crew base in Austin, as announced by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Southwest Airlines, and Austin Mayor Kirk Watson at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The expansion is projected to create 2,000 jobs in Austin by mid-2027. To support this development, Southwest Airlines has been awarded a $14 million grant from the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) and offered a $375,000 Veteran Created Job Bonus.
Governor Abbott highlighted the airline’s role in the state’s economic growth: “Southwest Airlines was born and raised in Texas and has been a core element of the economic growth we have seen in our state,” he said. “We are excited to announce that today Southwest Airlines will add over 2,000 high paying jobs right here in Texas. We are the home of economic opportunity for our fellow Texans more than any other state in the United States, and we know a key reason for that is because of everything Southwest Airlines provides. We are proud to partner with everybody connected with Southwest as well as the City of Austin on such a huge announcement for our state.”
The new crew base will include pilots, flight attendants, managerial staff, and support personnel who will handle operations across Southwest’s network. The average salary at the new base is expected to be $180,000 per year. The expansion also includes building out a station Command Center and creating a training facility for ongoing safety and regulatory instruction.
Bob Jordan, President, CEO, and Vice Chairman of Southwest Airlines’ Board stated: “This investment demonstrates our commitment to Austin and to our customers. As the largest carrier at Austin–Bergstrom International Airport, we appreciate the vision of Governor Abbott and Mayor Watson in clearing the way for Austin to become an even bigger part of our future.”
Mayor Kirk Watson emphasized job creation: “We’re laser focused on making sure people in Austin have good incomes, so they can afford to live and build a life in our city,” he said. “This performance-based agreement is a win-win-win deal focused on creating good-paying jobs for Austinites, strengthening our local economy, and providing more investment in childcare and workforce development programs.”
Senator Judith Zaffirini noted: “Congratulations to Southwest Airlines on receiving a $14 million Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) grant and for selecting Austin and Senate District 21 as the site of its new pilot and flight attendant crew base. This exciting investment underscores the company’s commitment to our state and will generate thousands of good-paying jobs in this area. What’s more, this milestone reflects Texas’ leadership in aviation, economic development, and workforce training. We look forward to the opportunities this expansion will offer Texans, especially our veterans, and to the continued success of this iconic Texas-based company.”
Representative Lulu Flores commented: “This grant from the Texas Enterprise Fund will contribute to Southwest Airlines’ investment in the economic growth of the Austin area that I represent. My constituents will benefit greatly from the job opportunities these projects will bring, and I welcome this opportunity to continue partnering with this exceptional Texas company.”
Opportunity Austin CEO Ed Latson added: “Southwest’s decision is a significant victory for the City of Austin, the Central Texas region, and the State of Texas,” he said. “It demonstrates how economic development tools empower communities to secure job-creating investments that support long-term community impact. Southwest choosing to deepen its partnership is a clear reflection of commitment to our economy.”
Southwest Airlines has operated from its headquarters in Texas since its incorporation there in 1967. The airline runs over 4,000 flights daily during peak travel periods; it carried more than 140 million customers throughout 2024.
The TEF provides performance-based grants intended for business relocation or expansion projects when one site within Texas competes with locations outside state borders for new job creation or capital investment.
