As millions of people across the country avoid unnecessary airline travel due to COVID-19, Southwest Airlines Co. is offering a nontraditional service to help amid the current crisis.
The Dallas-based company recently announced that for the first time ever, the airline will be offering cargo-only charter services on its Boeing 737s.
In a written statement, Southwest said it’s looking to help get much-needed products to those who need it most, including nonprofits that are helping combat the pandemic.
The cargo will be shipped in the belly of the 737s, with only pilots and other necessary team members onboard during the flights, airline officials said. The new service will be provided in conjunction with their passenger charter team.
“For many of our cargo customers, time is of the essence as we often carry life-critical medical treatments, medical supplies, and even food products. Additionally, we carry many e-commerce goods that you’re purchasing online,” Southwest said in a post on its website.
The move mirrors a similar effort by another North Texas-based carrier.
American Airlines Group Inc., which is based in Fort Worth, announced in mid-March that it would fly its first scheduled cargo-only flight for the first time in 36 years.
“Challenging times call for creative solutions, and a team of people across the airline has been working nonstop to arrange cargo-only flight options for our customers,” said Rick Elieson, president of Cargo and vice president of International Operations, in a prepared statement at the time.
American said it expects the flights “to be booked to capacity and transport medical supplies, mail for active U.S. military, telecommunications equipment and electronics that will support people working from home, and e-commerce packages.
