April 25 (Reuters) - Southwest Airlines ( LUV ) said on

Thursday it anticipates less than half of the new aircraft

deliveries it had previously expected from Boeing ( BA ) in 2024

and will take measures to tighten costs, such as voluntary time

off programs, as a buffer.

The airline will also limit hiring and now expects to end

the year with about 2,000 fewer employees compared to 2023.

Southwest ( LUV ), a loyal Boeing ( BA ) customer, expects to receive 20

aircraft this year, compared with its previous estimate of 46,

pressuring the budget carrier's plans to expand capacity to tap

into a robust demand environment.

It had originally planned on receiving 85 jets in 2024, but

has slashed those estimates thrice, including this latest cut.

Reuters had exclusively reported the delivery cuts earlier

this month.

Boeing ( BA ) has been under heavy regulatory scrutiny following a

Jan. 5 Alaska Airlines mid-air panel blowout that led to

probes into the manufacturer's safety and quality standards in

its production processes.

The U.S. FAA has also barred Boeing ( BA ) from expanding the

production of its bestseller 737 MAX jet, while uncertainty

looms over the certification timelines for its MAX 7 and 10

models.

"The recent news from Boeing ( BA ) regarding further aircraft

delivery delays presents significant challenges for both 2024

and 2025," Southwest ( LUV ) CEO Bob Jordan said on Thursday.

The carrier also trimmed its operating revenue expectations

for 2024 and now expects a high-single digit growth, compared

with its previous expectation of double-digit growth in

operating revenues compared with last year.

Southwest ( LUV ) reported a loss of $231 million, or $0.39 per

share for its first quarter ended March 31, compared to $159

million, or $0.27 per share a year earlier.

The airline will also close operations at four airports to

address cost and capacity headwinds.

It has cut its annual capacity forecast and now expects

available seat miles to be up about 4%, compared with its

previous estimate of about a 6% growth.

Southwest Airlines' ( LUV ) operating revenue rose 10.9%, to $6.33

billion, compared with last year.