Southwest posts a 1Q loss and will limit hiring, offer voluntary leave to staff and drop 4 airports

Southwest Airlines will limit hiring and offer voluntary leave to employees after losing money in the first quarter. The airline also says it will stop flying to four airports as it tries to cut costs and deal with delays in getting new planes from Boeing. Southwest said Thursday that it lost $231 million in the first quarter. CEO Robert Jordan says Southwest is reacting quickly to deal with its "financial underperformance” and aircraft delays. Southwest says it will stop flying to Cozumel, Mexico; Syracuse, New York; Bellingham, Washington; and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, where the airline’s major operation is at smaller Hobby Airport.