DALLAS, TX — Southwest Airlines Co. announces that construction is underway on an expansion project for the carrier’s Leadership and Aircrew Development (LEAD) Center on its headquarters campus in Dallas, Texas. The three-story, 141,000-square-foot expansion project will add space for eight additional flight simulators, up from its current 18 simulators, additional room for briefing rooms and space for smaller flight training devices. It is anticipated to open in the fall of 2020.

Between Continuing Qualification training, Captain Upgrade classes and New Hire Classes, the carrier trains an average of 850 pilots monthly at the LEAD center.

“This expansion allows us to plan for the future while continuing our commitment to provide the industry’s best training to our growing pilot workforce,” said Alan Kasher, Southwest’s Vice President of Flight Operations. “This investment paves the way to allow for training of more pilots at any given time as well as prepares Southwest for future pilot growth.”

The expansion project is being led by McCarthy Building Companies, which will serve as construction manager at risk. The company recently completed construction of the original LEAD Center, which includes an office building housing the airline’s operational teams and a parking garage. This project extends McCarthy’s experience in the aviation sector and its ongoing relationship with Southwest Airlines.

“Our teams faced unique and complex challenges while building the original, cutting-edge training center at Southwest Airline’s campus headquarters,” said Joe Jouvenal, McCarthy’s Senior Vice President. “With our previous experience, McCarthy is ideally suited to deliver high-quality work on this project, on time and within budget. We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Southwest Airlines.”