Southwest Airlines cleared a hurdle toward international expansion when its flight attendants narrowly approved a contract change that will allow overwater flying.
Transport Workers Union Local 556, the union of Southwest Airlines flight attendants, voted on Friday in favor of the tentative agreement. Just over 52% voted yes, with 5,873 out of 10,353 eligible voters participating, reported TWU.
AirTran, which Southwest acquired in 2011, already operates overwater routes to the Caribbean and Mexico. However, contract changes are necessary before Southwest can acquire international routes or train flight attendants for overwater safety procedures, noted TWU.
Pilots already have approved contract changes that will enable Southwest to operate overwater flights. The airline still must clear operational and regulatory hurdles before flying to the Caribbean or Hawaii becomes a reality.