Southwest Airlines Announces New Flight Crew Base to Open in Denver

DENVER, Feb. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) will open the carrier's newest Pilot Crew base in October 2012 and Flight Attendant Crew base in the fourth quarter at Denver International Airport later this year.  The new Crew domicile, which will be the airline's ninth, will be home to at least 250 Pilots and at least 400 Flight Attendants, with potential to grow as needed.  The lounges will be located on the third level of concourse C at Denver International Airport (DIA). 

"Denver is the fastest growing city in our history, and the new Crew base demonstrates our long-term commitment to the community and our successful operation at DIA," said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.  "Our expansion reflects the increasing demand among Mile High Customers for Southwest's low fares and frequent flights, and our Pilots and Flight Attendants will be proud to call Denver home."

"I'm extremely pleased Southwest is deepening its commitment to Denver and continues to see us as a growth market," said Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock. "By working with companies like Southwest that are investing in Denver, we're jumpstarting our economy and strengthening our business climate. I'm thrilled to extend a hearty Mile High welcome to the pilots and flight attendants who will soon be based out of our great City."

The Crew base will serve as an office on the ground for Southwest's Pilots and Flight Attendants.  Flight Crews who are stationed in Denver may use these offices before and after trips to receive briefings, to access required reading material, to learn about any changes in policies or schedules, and to catch up on Southwest news. 

Southwest currently operates eight Pilot and Flight Attendants bases nationwide.  Additional Southwest crew domiciles are located in Baltimore/Washington, Chicago Midway, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Oakland, Orlando, and Las Vegas.

Southwest Airlines began service to Denver on Jan. 3, 2006, with 13 daily nonstop departures to three destinations.  The airline currently operates 159 daily nonstop flights to 51 destinations from Denver.  Southwest also is actively engaged in the community through sponsorships of the Downtown Denver Partnership, the Denver Nuggets, Red Rocks Amphitheater, Denver's Road Home, the Mile High Pedicab Company, and many more local organizations.  To learn more about Southwest's dedication to Denver, visit: www.southwest.com/denver. 

About Southwest Airlines

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 recently acquired AirTran Airways, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co. Southwest serves 73 cities in 38 states and is 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 3,200 flights a day and has more than 37,000 Employees systemwide.

www.southwest.com

SOURCE Southwest Airlines