Southwest Airlines to end service in, out of Bellingham

BELLINGHAM — Southwest Airlines announced Thursday that it will no longer offer services in or out of the Bellingham International Airport.

Local operations will cease on Aug. 4, according to the announcement.

The decision is based on the company’s 2024 first-quarter financial results, which showed a net loss of $231 million.

“While it is disappointing to incur a first-quarter loss, we exited the quarter with healthy profits and margins in the month of March. We are focused on controlling what we can control and have already taken swift action to address our financial underperformance and adjust for revised aircraft delivery expectations,” said Southwest Airlines President and CEO Bob Jordan in the announcement.

Southwest said customer travel patterns and preferences, higher fuel prices, and Boeing’s aircraft delivery delays are contributing significantly to its financial challenges.

As of Dec. 31, 2023, Southwest had 817 Boeing 737 aircraft in its fleet.

The company’s financial issues are also impacting services at other airports the company said were “underperforming markets.”

Southwest will close operations at Cozumel International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston and Syracuse Hancock International Airport.

It will also implement capacity reductions in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

Southwest said it planned to implement other cost-control initiatives including limiting hiring and offering voluntary time-off programs.