DALLAS, June 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today filed an application with the
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to extend the carrier's low
fare reach into México markets with new international service from
Los Angeles International Airport
(LAX). Southwest is proposing new service to México:
twice-daily flights to Cancún and San José del Cabo/Los
Cabos, and once daily service to Puerto Vallarta to begin Nov. 6, 2016, contingent upon route authority
approval by the end of this month. Shortly following approval, the
carrier intends to offer the flights for sale on
Southwest.com.
The application requests extra-bilateral authority from the DOT
to allow the carrier to sell and serve the new markets during an
interim period while the governments of the United States and México take final
diplomatic steps to bring the pending liberalized Aviation
Agreement between the two nations into force.
"We've committed aircraft resources to serve these important
trans-border routes at the start of the winter season and are
asking that Southwest be allowed to add its low-fare, bags fly
free, no change fee* competition and legendary Customer Service to
benefit consumers in the U.S. and México," said Gary Kelly,
Chairman, President & CEO of Southwest Airlines.
According to projections by the Campbell-Hill Aviation Group, an
economic analysis firm retained by Southwest, Southwest's new
competition in the three LAX – México markets could reduce fares
more than 20 percent below average fares on the routes today,
increase total traffic on the routes by more than 500,000
passengers each year, and save passengers $50 million annually in reduced fares – another
example of the Southwest Effect of lowering fares and
increasing traffic in international markets. Click here to
download the carrier's application.
Southwest currently offers daily service from LAX to
Liberia, Costa Rica and serves four points in México
from eight other U.S. cities. Southwest continues to plan for 2016
year-over-year available seat mile (ASM) growth in the 5-6 percent
range.
*Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly
free® to everyone (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size
and weight limits apply; some airlines might allow free checked
bags on select routes or in qualified circumstances), and there are
never reservation change fees, though fare differences might
apply.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Specific forward-looking statements include, without
limitation, statements related to the Company's network and
capacity plans, opportunities, and expectations. These
statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other
factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual
results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by
them. Factors include, among others, (i) the impact of economic
conditions, consumer behavior, fuel prices, actions of competitors
(including without limitation pricing, scheduling, and capacity
decisions and consolidation and alliance activities), and other
factors beyond the Company's control, on the Company's business
decisions, plans, and strategies; (ii) the impact of governmental
regulations and other governmental actions related to the Company's
operations; ; and (iii) other factors, as described in the
Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including the detailed factors discussed under the heading "Risk
Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended Dec. 31, 2015.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 45th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines
(NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air
carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than
50,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually.
Southwest operates more than 3,900 departures a day during peak
travel season across a network of 97 destinations in the United States and seven additional
countries. Service to Long Beach,
California, the carrier's 98th city, begins
June 5, 2016.
Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent
data, Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms
of originating domestic passengers boarded. The Company operates
the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world, the majority of
which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi providing gate-to-gate
connectivity. That connectivity enables Customers to use
their personal devices to view video on-demand movies and
television shows, as well as more than 20 channels of free, live TV
compliments of our valued Partners. Southwest created
Transfarency℠, a philosophy which treats Customers honestly
and fairly, and in which low fares actually stay low. Southwest is
the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free® to
everyone (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and
weight limits apply, some airlines may allow free checked bags on
select routes or for qualified circumstances), and there are no
change fees, though fare differences might apply. In 2014, the
airline proudly unveiled a bold new look: Heart.
The new aircraft livery, airport experience, and logo, showcase the
dedication of Southwest Employees to connect Customers with what's
important in their lives.
From its first flights on June 18,
1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented
affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of
Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and
increase in passenger traffic whenever the carrier enters new
markets. With 43 consecutive years of profitability,
Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known
for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's
performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the
communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and
the planet. The 2015 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found
at SouthwestOneReport.com.
Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online
at Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.
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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.