Tennessee Governor Announces Southwest Airlines to Locate New Crew Base in Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced that Southwest Airlines will locate its newest Crew Base at Tennessee’s Nashville International Airport (BNA) starting in 2024. According to a press release from Gov. Lee, the base is expected to create an estimated 1,300 jobs, including approximately 150-250 pilots growing to 500-600 pilots, and roughly 500-700 flight attendants in the new Crew Base beginning in 2024.

“As a top global travel destination and business hub, Tennessee is the ideal location for Southwest Airlines’ newest Crew Base, and we look forward to the continued economic investment, job creation for newly based jobs and opportunity this expansion will bring for Tennesseans across the region,” Gov. Lee said. “We’re honored Southwest, a leading American company serving millions of travelers each year, will be expanding its reach to the Volunteer State.”

Nashville International Airport welcomes an average of 60,000 passengers per day for personal and business travel, including 24,500 passengers originating travel from BNA. 

Tennessee, ranked a top-three state for business in 2023, has attracted more than $30 million in capital investment and creating more than 170,000 jobs for Tennesseans since 2019. 

“Tennessee’s pro-business climate continues to attract top brands to the state, and I appreciate Southwest Airlines for expanding its footprint by locating a new Crew Base at BNA,” said Stuart McWhorter, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. “Southwest is a trusted and preferred airline of many Tennesseans, and it means a great deal that the company has chosen to invest and create – new jobs here, which will have a lasting impact on the region for years to come.”