Pilot Walkout Costs Southwest Airlines $75 Million

The flight cancellations due to the walkout, which lasted over a four-day period, were blamed on “the weather.”

By Reagan Hall

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When Southwest airline pilots were told to get the vaccine in order to keep their job, hundreds walked out, leaving Southwest to cancel flights due to short staff. While Southwest has since cancelled their vaccine mandate, the company is still suffering a $75 million dollar loss.

According to the airline, “October operating revenues include two headwinds—an estimated $40 million negative impact due to the lingering effects of the Delta variant and an estimated $75 million negative impact as a result of flight cancellations from operational challenges experienced earlier this month and related customer refunds and gestures of goodwill.”

The flight cancellations due to the walkout, which lasted over a four-day period, were blamed on “the weather.” However, the staff shortage miraculously ended after Southwest removed their vaccine mandate for employees.