he was among union leaders in a conference call with Chief Executive Bob Jordan on Monday to discuss the disruption after a winter storm forced the cancellation of nearly 16 000 flights.
The pilots union, which represents almost 10 000 Southwest pilots, estimates the flight cancellations could cost up to $1 billion in lost revenue, Nekouei told Reuters. Brokerage Raymond James estimated the meltdown could cut Southwest’s projected revenue growth by more than half in the fourth quarter, equivalent to a hit of about $515 million in lost revenue.
Jordan said the airline had made “great progress” in processing tens of thousands of refunds and reimbursements. It had also delivered the vast majority of bags, which went missing, to customers, he said.Southwest unions have blamed the company’s “outdated” technology and processes for the biggest operational meltdown in its five-decade history.