Southwest Airlines Launches New Service To Akron-Canton And Dayton

DALLAS, Aug. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) has officially landed in two brand new destinations with its new service to Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) and Dayton International Airport (DAY).  The new service officially launched on Sunday, Aug. 12, and the airline will celebrate the new service in both cities with press conferences at each airport this morning.  In Akron-Canton, Southwest will offer two daily roundtrip flights to Southwest's sizable operation at Chicago Midway, as well as one daily roundtrip flight to Denver.  Likewise, the airline will begin service to Dayton with one daily flight to Denver.  Southwest's service in both markets will complement AirTran's existing service in these cities.  AirTran's service will continue, and the airlines will jointly determine the best time to convert all AirTran's flying to Southwest as part of the ongoing integration to eventually becoming one airline flying under the Southwest brand.

"Our arrival in Akron-Canton and Dayton represents one of the true benefits to our integration with AirTran Airways, and it cements low fares and legendary Customer Service in these markets for decades to come," said Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer and AirTran Airways President Bob Jordan.  "Southwest is committed to serving these new markets with exceptional Customer Service at a great value, with access to the broad Southwest network of destinations."           

"We are thrilled to welcome Southwest Airlines to Akron-Canton Airport," said Rick McQueen, President and CEO.  "We've been courting the LUV airline for 25 years now, so this inaugural is particularly sweet.  As AirTran and Southwest become one airline, our Customers benefit from more access, destinations, and value. Nothing beats that."

"Southwest's arrival at Dayton International Airport is a very positive announcement for our community with clear benefits," said Terrence Slaybaugh, Director of Aviation at Dayton International Airport.  "Expanding our destination offerings with Southwest Airlines – known for its customer-focused service – is an ideal partnership to provide our passengers with the 'Where Flying is Fun Again' experience every time they fly DAY."

AirTran began service at Akron-Canton in 1997 and started serving Dayton in 1998.  Today, AirTran offers 11 daily flights from Akron-Canton in addition to the three daily Southwest flights.  From Dayton, today AirTran offers eight daily flights in addition to the daily Southwest flight to Denver. 

About Southwest Airlines

In its 41^st year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other low-fare carriers by providing a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service.  Including wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways, the Company now serves 97 destinations in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, six near-international countries, and employs more than 46,000 People.  Visit southwest.com/citizenship to read the Southwest Airlines One Report™ and see how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen while underscoring a commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet.  Southwest Airlines, one of the most honored airlines in the world, is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded.  Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and serves the communities around 76 airports in Southwest's network of domestic destinations.  To book a flight, visit southwest.com.

AirTran Airways

AirTran Airways, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co., has been ranked the top airline in the Airline Quality Rating study three times in the past five years. AirTran offers coast-to-coast and near-international service with nearly 700 flights a day on North America's newest all-Boeing fleet. The airline's low-cost, high-quality product also includes assigned seating and Business Class. To book a flight, visit airtran.com.

southwest.com

SOURCE Southwest Airlines