Posted 8/16/23

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced that Southwest Airlines will locate its newest Crew Base at Tennessee’s Nashville International Airport starting in 2024.

The move will create an estimated 1,300 jobs and greater opportunity for Tennesseans across the region.

Southwest’s decision to locate its newest base in Tennessee is a testament to the state’s standing as a global travel destination and the continued growth of Tennessee’s Nashville International Airport.

This year, Tennessee celebrated a record $27.5 billion in travel spending.

Among the top 25 states, Tennessee is the fastest-growing state in travel spending since 2018 and has risen from 14th to 11th in the nation for travel spending.

Tennessee, ranked a top-three state for business in 2023, boasts an unmatched business climate, skilled workforce and central location, attracting more than $30 million in capital investment and creating more than 170,000 jobs for Tennesseans since 2019.