Southwest bumps hiring goal 16% in an effort to cut delays

Bloomberg

Southwest Airlines Co increased the number of workers it wants to hire by 16% to 5,200, part of an effort to ease flight disruptions and reduce overtime, even as the carrier pares service.
The airline wants to add the new employees by the end of November to reduce delays and cancellations, Chief Executive Officer Gary Kelly said. It has already hired 1,500 new workers towards the goal. The new target, boosted from one set, is intended “to support our future growth,” he wrote.
While Southwest hasn’t fully detailed its plans to cut capacity in November and December, fourth-quarter capacity will be lower than the 2019 level, Chief Operating Officer Mike Van de Ven told workers in a memo. The carrier previously said fourth-quarter capacity would match the level of two years earlier.
The Dallas-based airline said last week that it would reduce flying for the final four months of this year, after employees complained they were overworked and flight crews said they were being left without hotels, transportation or food at some locations.