Hurricanes cost Southwest Airlines USD100 million
Southwest Airlines says it will take a $100 million hit from the recent spate of natural disasters.
Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and earthquakes in Mexico caused the airline to cancel approximately 5,000 flights during the third quarter.
The airline still hasn’t restored full service to Puerto Rico and other destinations in the Caribbean.
It was especially impacted at its Houston Hobby Airport hub where all flights were scrapped for several days.
Citing ‘impacts from the natural disasters’ Southwest cut its third quarter outlook.
It said third quarter cost per available seat mile is now expected to rise to 4%.
Delta Air Lines, United and American Airlines all revised down their revenue estimates earlier this month.
American cancelled a similar number of flights, while United had more than 7,000 flight grounded due to Hurricane Harvey alone.
Even before the hurricanes, major US airlines had been facing headwinds with fuel costs rising and intense completion from LCCs driving down fares.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026