4 replies to this topic

[WreckWench]

Southwest to close unprofitable routes by TravelMole


Southwest Airlines will close three southern cities on its network next year.

On June 7, 2014, operations at Branson Airport, Missouri; Key West International Airport, Florida and Jackson-Evers International Airport, Mississippi, will cease.

Southwest began service to Jackson-Evers International in 1997, and added Branson Airport and Key West International Airport in 2012 as part of its integration with AirTran.


Executive vice president and chief commercial officer Bob Jordan said: "The level of local demand no longer allows Southwest to profitably serve these markets.

He added: "These decisions are never easy."

Elsewhere on its network, Southwest has acquired 12 takeoff and landing slots - for six roundtrip flights - at New York's LaGuardia Airport.

The slots have been divested by American Airlines as part of its merger with US Airways.

In addition, Southwest gained permanent control of 10 takeoff and landing slots (for five roundtrip flights) that it currently operates under a lease from American.

The airline is also bidding for slots at Washington's Reagan National Airport.

Friday, December 6, 2013

[ScubaTex]

Southwest to close unprofitable routes by TravelMole


Southwest Airlines will close three southern cities on its network next year.

On June 7, 2014, operations at Branson Airport, Missouri; Key West International Airport, Florida and Jackson-Evers International Airport, Mississippi, will cease.

Southwest began service to Jackson-Evers International in 1997, and added Branson Airport and Key West International Airport in 2012 as part of its integration with AirTran.


Executive vice president and chief commercial officer Bob Jordan said: "The level of local demand no longer allows Southwest to profitably serve these markets.

He added: "These decisions are never easy."

Elsewhere on its network, Southwest has acquired 12 takeoff and landing slots - for six roundtrip flights - at New York's LaGuardia Airport.

The slots have been divested by American Airlines as part of its merger with US Airways.

In addition, Southwest gained permanent control of 10 takeoff and landing slots (for five roundtrip flights) that it currently operates under a lease from American.

The airline is also bidding for slots at Washington's Reagan National Airport.

Friday, December 6, 2013

While the above may be the 'bad news' - HERE'S the good news - look to SWA to spread the LOVE to the Caribbean in the future

[WreckWench]

EXCELLENT NEWS INDEED!!!! />

Southwest to add international flights in 2014
Reuters
December 12, 2013 3:32 PM

Dec 12 (Reuters) - Southwest Airlines plans to announce a schedule for international service under the Southwest brand next year, Chief Executive Gary Kelly said on Thursday.

Service outside the United States "will be a first in our 43-year history," Kelly said at the Wings Club in New York during a meeting that was broadcast over the Internet.

Southwest presently offers flights to Mexico and the Caribbean through AirTran, which it acquired in 2011. The carrier is overhauling its reservations system so it can process international bookings.

With a view to expanding service in the coming years, Southwest is investing more than $100 million to upgrade Houston's William Hobby Airport. It is installing new gates and a customs facility as it looks to add flights to Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America in 2015.

Additionally, restrictions on non-stop flights Southwest can operate from its base at Love Field in Dallas will be lifted next year when the Wright Amendment - federal legislation introduced in the 1970s to govern traffic - expires.

"We have some wonderful opportunities to bring more competition and lower fares where we don't currently serve markets," said Kelly.

[Scubatooth]

Interesting that SWA wants to do Caribbean destinations considering currently very few SWA aircraft are ETOPS Certified (they got those from the airtran acquisition . To do this would require ETOPS (Extended Twin-engine OPerationS) certification and modification of aircraft to travel overwater for prolonged distances, and its not cheap to do so for a current airframe.

IMHO & FWIW

[ScubaTex]

Interesting that SWA wants to do Caribbean destinations considering currently very few SWA aircraft are ETOPS Certified (they got those from the airtran acquisition . To do this would require ETOPS (Extended Twin-engine OPerationS) certification and modification of aircraft to travel overwater for prolonged distances, and its not cheap to do so for a current airframe.

IMHO & FWIW

From SWA 2012 annual report, SWA received FAA approval in 2012 to fly outside continental US, then started service to San Juan in April 2013. SWA continues offering flights through AirTran to Bermuda, Cancun, Cabo & 4 Caribbean destinations - Is upgrading its reservation system to handle international destinations - Building an international terminal facility at Hobby Airport [HOU] in Houston - And should've taken delivery of 20 737-800's in 2013 with an additional 24 aircraft in 2014. SWA has always taken care when expanding, making sure its routes maintain economic feasibility.

My 2 psi