Southwest Airlines Plans Temporary Layoffs At Sea-Tac

Seattle WA

04 December, 2020

9:03 PM

Description

SEATAC, WA — Southwest Airlines plans to temporarily lay off 42 employees in March 2021, amid a continued decline in air travel during the coronavirus pandemic. The state Employment Security Department published a worker adjustment and retraining notification (WARN) Friday, classifying the layoffs as temporary but expected to last for more than six months. The separations are slated to take effect on March 15. The layoffs come as airlines and transit agencies navigate a sustained drop in ridership amid a third wave in coronavirus infections and public health guidance cautioning against all nonessential trips. According to data from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, air travel remained light over Thanksgiving week, following repeated calls from state and local leaders to avoid traditional trips and large gatherings with those outside the household. Between Nov. 22 and Nov. 29, the average number of travelers screened at the airport was just 18,000, down 65 percent from the same period in 2019. (Washington State Department of Transportation) While highway traffic has rebounded somewhat, Washington State Department of Transportation data show ridership on transit, passenger rail and ferries continues to be minimal. Even with a potential vaccine on the horizon, the downturn is likely to continue for months to come, including the upcoming Christmas and New Year's holidays. Related: King County Coronavirus Numbers Likely Lagging After Thanksgiving