MILE HIGH GROWTH IN DENVER: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CARGO CELEBRATES OPENING OF NEW FACILITY OFFERING INCREASED CAPACITY
Southwest Cargo nearly doubles its Denver footprint to support the airline's long-term vision
DALLAS, June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) celebrated the grand opening of its expanded Cargo facility at the Denver International Airport (DEN) today, marking a milestone in the airline's continued commitment to invest in infrastructure that supports its growing operations at the airport. The nearly 30,000 square foot warehouse brings a new level of Hospitality to Southwest Airlines® Denver-area Cargo Customers, with six loading docks enabling the Southwest Team to serve multiple Customers at the same time, large storage areas throughout the facility, and twice the amount of cooler space than previously available for refrigerated products.
"The new Southwest Airlines Cargo facility at Denver International Airport exemplifies our commitment to serve our Customers in the Denver region and beyond," said Brian Kilburn, Vice President of Cargo, Provisioning, and Ground Support Equipment. "Southwest Cargo is more than moving freight – we are connecting Denver-area businesses to the global economy."
As the busiest market in Southwest Airlines' network, with nearly 300 daily flights at DEN during peak seasons to over 90 North American destinations, Southwest Cargo Customers can benefit from getting their products to and from the Denver region quickly, efficiently, and with the award-winning Hospitality of Southwest's Relentlessly Reliable® Cargo Team.
"We're excited to expand our important partnership with Southwest Airlines by celebrating the opening of its new Denver Cargo Facility," said Phil Washington, CEO, Denver International Airport. "As one of DEN's largest carriers, Southwest is a critical member of the DEN family— connecting the Mile High City to dozens of destinations. Now, beyond passenger travel, the opening of an expanded cargo facility showcases an even greater commitment and bond between Southwest Airlines and DEN. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to everyone at Southwest Airlines on this impressive achievement and continued growth."
Twice the Points!
To celebrate the opening of the new building, Southwest Cargo is offering shippers the ability to earn up to two times Rapid Rewards® points when they ship to or from Denver between today and Dec. 31, 2025. All Rapid Rewards Cargo program terms and conditions apply. Full terms and conditions available at ship.swacargo.com/Denver2Xpromo.
"This facility represents more than growth for Southwest — it's a boost for Colorado's entire business community. Faster, more reliable cargo access strengthens our supply chain, empowers small businesses, and fuels economic competitiveness," said Raymond H. Gonzales, President of the Metro Denver EDC and EVP of the Denver Metro Chamber.
"We're proud to celebrate this milestone with a partner that understands the power of connection — both in the air and on the ground."
The new Cargo facility joins an exciting list of Southwest infrastructure investments in the Denver area. Earlier this month, the airline celebrated the opening of a new off-airport training center as part of the Colorado Aerotropolis and, in 2022, opened a maintenance hangar to support Technical Operations in Denver and the Western half of the United States. Within a few weeks, Southwest anticipates opening a 100,000 square foot General Use Building that will house its Provisioning Team and Ground Support Equipment Team.
"The successful completion of the cargo facility at Denver International Airport represents not only a significant milestone for Southwest Airlines but a proud achievement for our entire project team," said Ethan Walton, project director at McCarthy Building Companies. "From early earthwork to final turnover, this project showcased true collaboration—with our partners at Southwest Airlines, Woolpert, our design partners at Burns and McDonnell, and the trades who brought it all to life. We're honored to have delivered infrastructure that directly supports one of the fastest growing hubs in the country and enables continued operational excellence at DEN."
Learn more about Southwest Cargo and how it can be your trusted air cargo provider, visit swacargo.com.
Hi-res photos and other assets highlighting the new facility are available on the Southwest Airlines Newsroom at swamedia.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements related to (i) the Company's expectations with respect to Cargo capacity in Denver; (ii) the Company's long-term vision for Denver operations; (iii) the Company's commitment to invest in and modernize infrastructure to support its growing operations; (iv) the Company's growth plans and expectations; and (v) the Company's expectations with respect to its General Use Building in Denver. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current estimates, intentions, beliefs, expectations, goals, strategies, and projections for the future and are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by them. Factors include, among others, (i) the impact of fears or actual outbreaks of diseases, extreme or severe weather and natural disasters, actions of competitors, governmental actions, consumer perception, consumer uncertainties with respect to trade policies (including the imposition of tariffs), economic conditions, banking conditions, fears or actual acts of terrorism or war, sociodemographic trends, and other factors beyond the Company's control, on consumer behavior and the Company's results of operations and business decisions, plans, strategies, and results; (ii) the Company's ability to timely and effectively implement, transition, operate, and maintain the necessary information technology systems and infrastructure to support its operations and initiatives, including with respect to revenue management and assigned and premium seating; (iii) consumer behavior and response with respect to the Company's new commercial products and policies; (iv) the impact of fuel price changes, fuel price volatility, volatility of commodities used by the Company for hedging jet fuel, and any changes to the Company's fuel hedging strategies and positions, on the Company's business plans and results of operations; (v) the Company's dependence on The Boeing Company ("Boeing") and Boeing suppliers with respect to the Company's aircraft deliveries, Boeing MAX 7 aircraft certifications, fleet and capacity plans, operations, maintenance, strategies, and goals; (vi) the Company's dependence on the Federal Aviation Administration with respect to, among other things, the certification of the Boeing MAX 7 aircraft; (vii) the Company's dependence on other third parties, in particular with respect to its technology plans, its plans and expectations related to revenue management, online travel agencies, operational reliability, fuel supply, maintenance, Global Distribution Systems, environmental sustainability, and the impact on the Company's operations and results of operations of any third party delays or nonperformance; (viii) the impact of labor matters on the Company's business decisions, plans, strategies, and results; (ix) the impact of governmental regulations and other governmental actions on the Company's business plans, results, and operations; (x) the Company's ability to obtain and maintain adequate infrastructure and equipment to support its operations and initiatives; (xi) the Company's dependence on its workforce, including its ability to employ and retain sufficient numbers of qualified Employees with appropriate skills and expertise to effectively and efficiently maintain its operations and execute the Company's plans, strategies, and initiatives; and (xii) other factors, as described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the detailed factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world's most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 117 airports across 11 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline1. By empowering its more than 71,0002 People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 140 million Customers carried in 2024. Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.
- Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey as of Q4 2024
- Fulltime-equivalent active Employees as of March 31, 2025
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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.