Southwest Airlines issued the following news release:
Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) and its wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways announced today new destinations and nonstop routes as they extend their flight schedules for reservations from June 3, 2012, through Aug. 10, 2012 (some flights begin as early as May 24, 2012). Southwest announced new Houston nonstop service and AirTran will add nonstop service between Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood and San Juan, Puerto Rico, as well as new Denver nonstop routes.
In addition, AirTran announced plans to expand its international presence with four new nonstop routes to Mexico: San Antonio to Cancun and Mexico City beginning May 2012, and Orange County, Calif. to Cabo San Lucas and Mexico City beginning June 2012. This service is subject to government approval and is not yet for sale. Specific frequencies and fares for these international routes will be announced once the appropriate approvals are received. AirTran does not currently serve Orange County, so the future introduction of AirTran service to these markets is a direct benefit of Southwest's acquisition of AirTran.
To celebrate AirTran's Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood to San Juan service, the carriers launched a fare sale today with fares as low as 69 Dollars one-way. Customers must book travel by Nov. 27, 2011, in order to take advantage of these low fares (http://www.southwest.com/?src=PRPRPRNSSCH0000000111112) (see Additional Fare Rules below). To book flights, visit: www.southwest.com orwww.airtran.com.
A quick view of the new service is listed below.
AirTran new service beginning May 24, 2012 (open for sale today):
* Two daily roundtrip flights between Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood and San Juan
AirTran new service beginning June 3, 2012 (open for sale today):
* One daily roundtrip flight between Denver and Akron-Canton
* One daily roundtrip flight between Denver and Dayton
* Two daily roundtrip flights between Denver and New York LaGuardia
* Two daily roundtrip flights between Baltimore/Washington and Los Angeles
* One daily roundtrip flight between Baltimore/Washington and New Orleans
* Two daily roundtrip flights between Baltimore/Washington and Seattle
* One daily roundtrip flight between Baltimore/Washington and San Francisco
Southwest new service beginning June 3, 2012 (open for sale today):
* One daily roundtrip flight between Houston Hobby and Raleigh-Durham
* One daily roundtrip flight between Houston Hobby and Kansas City
* One daily roundtrip flight between Houston Hobby and Seattle
* One daily roundtrip flight between Chicago Midway and Oklahoma City
"We have been very encouraged by the success of AirTran's existing international service and we look forward to building upon that success," said Bob Jordan, Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer and AirTran Airways President. "Today's announcement of AirTran's new domestic service and planned international service in several markets offers Customers even more options when traveling both in the U.S. and abroad, and is a terrific demonstration of the benefits Southwest's acquisition of AirTran brings Customers."
"We continue to set the stage for long-term growth by aligning our current networks to maximize what we each do best. The next step, which we anticipate will happen in the first half of next year, will be to connect these two strong networks to offer our collective passengers lower fares on more flights, which we believe will greatly benefit consumers and create significant revenue potential for Southwest."
Currently, all reservations for AirTran flights must be booked on www.airtran.com, calling AirTran reservations at (800) 247-8726, or a travel agent. Southwest Customers can see AirTran's current nonstop international routes on www.southwest.com through its new web referral tool which links Customers directly to www.airtran.com. When Customers select an international itinerary from a nonstop destination on Southwest's site, they will then be directed to www.airtran.com where they can complete the booking process. All flights booked on www.airtran.com will be subject to AirTran's policies and procedures.
To view a blog post about the new service, please visitwww.blogsouthwest.com.
In its 40th year of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low-fare carriers-offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded and has acquired AirTran Airways, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co. With the addition of Atlanta (which opens on Feb. 12, 2012), Southwest will serve 73 cities in 38 states and remains one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One Report(TM). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,400 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees.
AirTran Additional Fare Rules
All fares are one-way. Fares do not include federal segment taxes of 3.70 Dollars per takeoff and landing. Fares shown do not include Airport Passenger Facility Charges of up to 18 Dollars roundtrip. The government imposed September 11th Security Fee of up to 10 Dollars roundtrip is not included. All fares are nonrefundable and a 75 Dollars fee per person applies to any change made after purchase, plus any applicable increase in airfare. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. 10-day advance purchase required. Fares are available for purchase Nov. 13, 2011, through Nov. 27, 2011, 11:59 p.m. PST, for travel beginning May 24, 2012, through June 27, 2012. Blackout date is May 28, 2012. Travel valid every day except Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. A first bag may be checked for a fee of 20 Dollars each way and a second bag may be checked for a fee of 25 Dollars each way. Reservations may be made via AirTran Airways Telephone Reservations Center for a fee of 15 Dollars. Reservations may also be changed via AirTran Airways Telephone Reservations Center for a 15 Dollars fee plus any applicable change fees and fare differences. Fares, routes, and schedules are subject to change without notice.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding (i) Southwest Airlines' and AirTran Airways' plans to add new destinations and routes, including AirTran Airways' planned expansion of its international presence; and (ii) Southwest's plans and expectations related to its acquisition of AirTran, including expected consumer, financial, growth, and other benefits of the acquisition. These statements are based on Southwest's current intent, beliefs, and expectations and are not guarantees of future results. These statements also involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by them. Factors include, among others, (i) receipt of necessary governmental approvals and the timing thereof, (ii) the Company's ability to successfully integrate AirTran and thereby realize the expected benefits of the transaction, (iii) consumer demand and preferences related to the new service, and (iv) changes in the Company's overall business plan and strategies.
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