Southwest Airlines Ending Flights At 'Challenging' O'Hare

CHICAGO — In February, Southwest Airlines marked five years of service at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Now, just one month later, the Dallas-based company announced it is calling it quits at one of country's busiest airports.

In a statement released Friday, Southwest Airlines said it is discontinuing service at O'Hare, as well as Washington Dulles, effective June 4. The company said the decision is part of an ongoing effort to "refine its network" across the country.

Southwest, which began flying at O'Hare on Feb. 14, 2021, described operating out of the airport as "challenging," and that the decision will not result in any "significant reduction" in flight availability for the Chicago metropolitan area.

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The company also said it will continue its "proud" 41-year history at Chicago Midway International Airport.

"We are confident we can serve Chicagoland from our long-standing base at Midway where we will continue to offer service to more than 80 destinations, including the 15 markets we serve from O'Hare," the statement continues.

According to Southwest, all affected frontline employees at both Chicago O'Hare and Washington Dulles will have the opportunity to bid for open positions across the company's network, including opportunities to transfer Midway for Chicago-based staff.