Dallas, Texas-headquartered Southwest Airlines has opened its first global innovation centre outside the United States, in Hyderabad.

The office, which Telangana IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu inaugurated on Wednesday (May 20, 2026), will serve as a strategic hub within the company’s global network, supporting technology, engineering and enterprise capabilities.

Launched through subsidiary Southwest Airlines India, the Hyderabad facility will scale to a headcount of 1,000 engineers and technology professionals. In the ongoing first phase of hiring, the company will onboard 200 employees.

The centre will be driving capabilities across deeptech, AI/ML, data science, data analytics, digital engineering, cybersecurity, enterprise platforms, digital operations and next-generation product development, Southwest, one of the largest airlines in the U.S., said.

Mr. Sridhar Babu said, “Over the last year alone, several global enterprises have chosen Hyderabad for their first innovation centres in India, reinforcing the city’s growing reputation as a hub for advanced engineering and innovation. The decision of Southwest Airlines to establish its global innovation centre further reflects Hyderabad’s strategic importance in shaping future of global mobility, aviation engineering, aerospace and next-generation technology innovation.”

With global capability centres (GCCs) and innovation hubs established by companies such as American Airlines, Marriott International and now Southwest Airlines, Hyderabad is steadily building a strong aviation, travel, and hospitality innovation ecosystem, he said in a release shared by his office.

Lauren Woods, chief information officer, Southwest Airlines, said Hyderabad is one of the deepest analytics, engineering, and innovation talent pools in the world, making it an ideal location for the company.

“Through our Hyderabad Office, we are building capabilities across AI, data, nextgeneration engineering and other business operations,” global head of innovation, India, Krishna Kallepalli said.