Lois Larson
Southwest Airlines was once a prominent airline operating out of Akron-Canton Airport, with up to nine nonstop destinations and around 900,000 customers flying with Southwest from the airport annually. However, in 2017, the airline made the decision to cease operations at Akron-Canton, with its final flight departing on June 2 or June 3, 2017. So, why did Southwest leave Akron-Canton Airport?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Southwest Airlines' departure from Akron-Canton Airport | June 2, 2017 |
| Reason for departure | Lack of sustainable travel demand |
| Number of daily flights impacted | 3 |
| Route impacted | Akron-Canton to Atlanta |
| Previous number of nonstop destinations | 9 |
| Remaining nonstop destinations after Southwest's departure | 13 |
| Airlines still offering nonstop flights from Akron-Canton | Delta, Spirit, American, United |
| Airports with similar routes | Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport |
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What You'll Learn
Southwest Airlines' business decision to leave
At the time of the decision, Southwest Airlines operated three daily flights between Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) and Atlanta, with connections to other cities like Chicago, Dallas, Orlando, and Las Vegas. However, the airline had been reducing services at Akron-Canton Airport for several years, with route cancellations to popular destinations such as New York City, Orlando, and Las Vegas.
Southwest Airlines acknowledged the strong community support they had received during their five years of serving Akron-Canton. The airline expressed gratitude and assured customers that their decision was not made lightly. They committed to supporting their employees through the transition, offering them new opportunities within the company.
Despite the departure, Akron-Canton Airport remained committed to providing affordable costs, exceptional customer service, and award-winning marketing support to increase capacity and maintain their competitiveness in the market. Additionally, other airlines, such as Delta, Spirit, and United, continued to offer nonstop and one-stop services to various destinations, ensuring that travellers still had access to convenient travel options.
Southwest Airlines' departure from Akron-Canton Airport was part of a broader strategy to optimize their route network and allocate resources to markets that better fit their long-term goals. While it may have been a challenging decision, the airline remained focused on adapting their operations to meet the evolving demands of the aviation industry and their customers.
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Impact on Akron-Canton Airport
Southwest Airlines' decision to leave Akron-Canton Airport impacted the airport, its staff, and the local community. The airline's departure marked the end of a route that saw three daily flights between Akron-Canton (CAK) and Atlanta, with connections to other cities like Chicago, Dallas, Orlando, and Las Vegas.
The impact on the airport was significant, as Southwest was the busiest airline operating out of CAK, serving nearly 900,000 customers annually. The loss of Southwest's business dealt a blow to the airport's operations and its plans for growth. Rick McQueen, the airport's president and CEO, expressed disappointment at the news, acknowledging the history of the carrier at the airport and its contribution to the airport's emergence as a low-fare alternative to Cleveland Hopkins.
However, the airport remained committed to its strategy of affordable costs, exceptional customer service, and award-winning marketing. Other airlines, such as Delta, Spirit, and United, continued to serve the airport, ensuring that travellers could still access nonstop flights to various destinations.
The decision also affected the airline's employees, and Southwest committed to supporting them as they explored new opportunities within the company.
The local community, which had strongly supported the airline and its services, also felt the impact of Southwest's departure. Despite the disappointment, the community could still access the Atlanta route through other airlines like Delta, and the airport remained committed to providing a positive travel experience with competitive fares and easy connections.
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Remaining travel options from Akron-Canton
Southwest Airlines ceased its operations at Akron-Canton Airport in June 2017. The airline's only remaining route at the time was from Akron-Canton to Atlanta. Despite the exit of Southwest Airlines, travellers can still take advantage of various other travel options from Akron-Canton Airport.
Delta Airlines continues to offer nonstop, daily flights from Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) to Atlanta and beyond. Additionally, CAK offers nonstop service to 13 destinations and one-stop access to other locations through American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and United Airlines.
Akron-Canton Airport is conveniently located between the cities of Akron and Canton, providing easy access to mass transit services. SARTA buses serve Stark County, while METRO RTA buses cover the Summit County area. The METRO fleet is entirely wheelchair and scooter-accessible, adhering to ADA requirements.
For those who prefer to drive to the airport, Akron-Canton Airport offers on-site parking at affordable prices. The airport provides a range of parking options, including covered short-term, short-term, and long-term parking, ensuring travellers can find a spot that fits their needs.
Travellers can also take advantage of the airport's rental car services, offering convenience and flexibility for those who need a vehicle during their trip. Additionally, hotel shuttle services are available from nearby accommodations, such as the Holiday Inn Express & Suites and Embassy Suites by Hilton Akron Canton Airport.
Other transportation options available at Akron-Canton Airport include limo/taxi services, ride-sharing, and curbside drop-off and pick-up, ensuring travellers have a variety of choices to suit their preferences and needs.
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Southwest Airlines' employee support
Southwest Airlines has always put people first, with a focus on employee, customer, and community well-being. The airline is known for its legendary culture, where people come first, and employees care for each other. This culture is a source of pride for the company and is at the heart of its identity.
Southwest Airlines has a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). By fostering a Culture of Belonging, the airline embraces and utilizes its diversity to create competitive yet equitable advantages that contribute to its overall success. The airline also has a strong presence of unions representing their employees.
The airline recognizes employee life events, both the challenges and the celebrations, during an employee's journey with the company. Callie Grice, an Employee Experience Consultant, Culture & Communications, affirms that the company leaders care about their employees and their families. Southwest Airlines partnered with O.C. Tanner to create an enhanced rewards and recognition strategy, with recognition woven throughout many of the moments that matter in an employee's journey. The airline uses the SWAG (Southwest Airline Gratitude) platform to recognize employees early and often, with recognition coming from both leaders and peers. Employees can send a quick note of gratitude (KICK TAIL®) or nominate a peer for a President’s Award that comes with SWAG Points, which can be redeemed for merchandise, gift cards, experiences, or Rapid Rewards® points.
Southwest Airlines also offers several benefits and perks to its employees, including an excellent benefits package. Employees are enrolled in the Southwest Airlines Retirement Savings Plan, which includes a generous dollar-for-dollar 401(k) company match and a potential profit-sharing award. Southwest was the first in the airline industry to offer its employees profit-sharing. Employees can also purchase Southwest common stock at a 10% discount through payroll deductions after six months of continuous service. Additionally, employees can enroll in long-term disability plans and receive basic term life insurance at no cost. Other benefits include adoption assistance reimbursement, paid adoption leave, parental leave, child and elder care resource and referral programs, committed partner benefits, a concierge program, supplemental hospital insurance, pet insurance, and auto and home insurance.
Southwest Airlines also provides travel privileges for employees and their eligible dependents, including free, unlimited travel privileges on Southwest Airlines. Employees can also receive an unlimited 20% discount on all purchased Southwest flights for themselves and their eligible travelers, and with pass agreements from other airlines, employees can choose their own adventures.
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Akron-Canton's appreciation for Southwest Airlines
Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) appreciated Southwest Airlines for being the busiest airline operating out of CAK, with nearly 900,000 customers flying Southwest Airlines from CAK every year. Southwest Airlines offered eight daily nonstop flights from the airport to destinations like Boston, New York, Orlando, and Denver.
In recognition of Southwest Airlines' success in the market, Rick McQueen, President and CEO of Akron-Canton Airport, celebrated the airline's growth at CAK, stating, "Eight days a week, are not enough to show our excitement about Southwest's continued growth at CAK." Bob Montgomery, Southwest Airlines Vice President of Airport Affairs, also acknowledged the contributions of Akron-Canton Airport, stating that "Our partners at CAK have been instrumental in helping Southwest Airlines grow its presence in northeast Ohio."
When Southwest Airlines decided to end its service at Akron-Canton Airport in June 2017, the airport community expressed their disappointment and appreciation for the airline's presence over the years. McQueen acknowledged that they would feel the effects of Southwest's departure, and he appreciated the strong community support for the airline. He also welcomed the possibility of Southwest returning to Akron-Canton in the future.
Despite the disappointment, Akron-Canton Airport recognized the need to focus on other strong airline partners to continue offering customers great fares, exceptional service, and easy connections. The airport remained committed to providing affordable costs, exceptional customer service, and award-winning marketing support to increase capacity for the community.
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Frequently asked questions
Southwest Airlines ceased operations at Akron-Canton Airport because it no longer saw a local, sustainable travel demand to support its service.
Southwest Airlines ceased operations at Akron-Canton Airport on June 2, 2017, at the end of its current flight schedule.
Yes. Southwest acknowledged the impact on its employees and said that they would be offered other opportunities within the company.
Southwest Airlines' decision to leave was primarily due to low demand. However, the airline had been reducing services at the airport in recent years, indicating that it was repositioning its resources to align with its long-term business plans.
