DALLAS, July 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today filed an application with the U.
S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to offer the first U.S.
carrier nonstop service between Oakland International Airport and
both San Jose del
Cabo/Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, beginning in
February 2017, subject to
governmental approvals. Once approved, the carrier's flight
schedule and fares will be published on Southwest.com.
"Linking the San Francisco Bay
Area to these popular Mexican beach resort areas with
time-saving itineraries brings our Customers low-fare and
high-value service that is an exciting addition to our growing
international portfolio," said Leah Koontz, Southwest Vice
President who announced the proposed flights to gathered
guests and media near the carrier's Oakland Ticket Counter. "We're
adding nonstop service that extends the reach of Oakland's convenient airport experience to two
top-ranking international destinations without a nonstop
option."
"Los Cabos, in particular, is
the most requested international destination from the East Bay and
North Bay that does not have a nonstop option," said Bryant L.
Francis, C.M., Director of Aviation for The Port of Oakland. "Southwest's continual investment,
especially with new medium-haul and long-haul flights has made
Oakland International the fastest growing major airport in
California in terms of passengers,
and they're enjoying unprecedented value and reliability."
The Port is undertaking a major renovation of Terminal One: a
new security checkpoint and international check-in and arrivals
area is scheduled to be completed in the second quarter of 2017; a
modernization and expansion of the airport's passenger federal
inspection station (FIS) for U.S. Customs & Border Protection
services is scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of
2017.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST & OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
According to the most recent figures available from the U.S.
Department of Transportation, Southwest carries the most
passengers to and from the San
Francisco Bay Area through its operations at the region's
three major commercial airports. Southwest's 120 departures a day
at Oakland International Airport
comprise the carrier's biggest operation in Northern California, transporting the majority
of the airport's 11 million annual travelers to nearly 30
destinations across the United
States, with additional connecting or same-plane service to
another two dozen cities.
Southwest has more than 2,600 Oakland-based Employees and has hired more
than 750 locally based Employees since January 2014.
Oakland International is the fourth busiest airport in
California and the second busiest
in the San Francisco Bay Area, the
closest airport for most local residents and to the region's top
tourism and entertainment venues. Oakland International is operated
by The Port of Oakland, which also
oversees the Oakland seaport and
20 miles of waterfront. For airport maps, and details on shopping,
dining, transportation, and more, visit www.oaklandairport.com.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 46th 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 98 destinations in the United States and seven additional
countries with service to three airports in Cuba expected to begin later this year,
subject to government approvals.
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. The
airline proudly unveiled a bold new look: Heart.
A new logo, aircraft livery, interior design featuring a new seat
and Flight Attendant galley, Employee-designed uniforms, and an
updated airport experience all showcase the dedication of Southwest
Employees who 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.