Southwest Air closing three call centers = = = = Tuesday November 4, 2:38 PM EST = (Adds details, background) CHICAGO, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Southwest Airlines (LUV), the No. 6 U.S. airli= ne, on Tuesday said it was consolidating nine reservation centers into si= x following a decline in call volumes in recent years and increased Inter= net bookings. Centers in Dallas, Texas, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Salt Lake City, Utah= , will be closed on Feb. 28, 2004, Southwest said. Roughly 1,900 employee= s are being offered the chance to move to a remaining center or take a se= verance package. Remaining centers are located in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Chicago, Illino= is; Houston, Texas; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Phoenix, Arizona; and San An= tonio, Texas. The airline, which has been the only major U.S. carrier to post consisten= t profits since the industry's worst downturn began in 2001, said it fore= sees costs in the first quarter associated with the consolidation of $20 = million to $30 million. A spokesperson was not immediately available to p= rovide additional details. "This was a difficult decision but one that assures that those who choose= to relocate can continue their careers with Southwest Airlines," said Ch= ief Executive Jim Parker in a statement. Shares of Southwest were down 20 cents, or 1 percent, to $18.65 on the Ne= w York Stock Exchange. = =A92003 Reuters Limited. = Roger EWROPS