Southwest Airlines Continues Denver Growth With Opening Of New Flight Crew Bases And Line Maintenance At Denver International Airport (DIA)

DENVER, Oct. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) today officially opens the carrier's newest Pilot and Flight Attendant crew bases at Denver International Airport (DIA).  The new crew domiciles, which will be the airline's ninth, will be home to nearly 400 Pilots and 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).  Southwest Airlines is also starting line maintenance in Denver today, which will be the first time the carrier has had this function at its operation at DIA. 

"The new Crew bases and our line maintenance demonstrate our long-term commitment to Colorado 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, Flight Attendants, and Maintenance Employees will be proud to call Denver home."

"We'd like to welcome the Southwest Airlines pilots, flight attendants and maintenance employees to their new home at Denver International Airport," Aviation Manager Kim Day said.  "Southwest Airlines is a great partner, and this long-term commitment to our community and airport speaks volumes about their dedication to the Denver market."

The crew bases will serve as offices on the ground for Southwest's Pilots and Flight Attendants.  Flight Crews stationed in Denver may use these offices before and after trips to receive briefings, access required reading material, learn about changes in policies or schedules, and 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.

In addition to the crew bases, Southwest has also established a line maintenance operation at DIA.  Southwest will now have six local Maintenance Employees perform routine maintenance as needed for flights flying to/from DIA to streamline the carrier's growing operation in the Mile High City. 

Southwest Airlines began service to Denver on Jan. 3, 2006, with 13 daily nonstop departures to three destinations.  The airline currently operates 166 daily nonstop flights to 54 destinations from Denver.  Southwest recently demonstrated its LUV for the state of Colorado by dedicating Colorado One, which is a specialty aircraft painted with the colors of the Colorado state flag.  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 77 cities in 39 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 3,400 flights a day and has more than 37,000 Employees systemwide.

www.southwest.com

SOURCE Southwest Airlines