Southwest Airlines today announced that the carrier is opening its schedule for travel beginning May 9, 2010, through Aug. 13, 2010. The May schedule opening includes fares and flight information for service to Southwest’s newest market, Panama City Beach, Florida, starting May 23, 2010, via the brand new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP).
“We are eager to begin service to our newest destination, Panama City Beach, while we remain focused on growing in key markets, such as Denver and St. Louis,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. “Our continued flight optimization efforts have been hugely successful. We’re maximizing the efficiency and profitability of each published flight schedule, thus allowing us to expand our network in new and existing key markets, even in this challenging economic environment.”
Southwest is adding 65 roundtrip flights and eliminating 24 roundtrip flights for a net gain of 41 roundtrip flights, or 82 one-way flights systemwide. The May schedule reflects seasonal travel patterns when demand increases and flying time decreases during the summer.
Additionally, the May schedule includes previously announced service of seven daily flights to/from Denver. Southwest has added two additional daily flights to the previously announced service, for a total of nine new flights to/from the Mile High City beginning May 9, 2010. The carrier also has intentions of adding 15 additional flights to/from Denver beginning in August 2010. Details of the service beginning in August will be announced at a later date.
To view a chart of the flight changes and a blog post from Lead Schedule Planner Bill Owen, visit: blogsouthwest.com. To view the flight changes, visit: http://www.southwest.com/swamedia/May2010FlightChanges.pdf.
Southwest has also been beefing up its service to/from St. Louis, and the May schedule includes 10 additional flights to/from St. Louis, including new nonstop destinations of Los Angeles, Nashville, New Orleans, Raleigh/Durham, San Diego, and Seattle.
NEW SERVICE TO PANAMA CITY BEACH, FLORIDA (ECP) BEGINS MAY 23, 2010 (open for sale today – see fare rules below):
— Two new daily nonstop roundtrip between Panama City Beach and
Nashville (as low as $69 one-way).
— Two new daily nonstop roundtrip between Panama City Beach and Houston
Hobby (as low as $69 one-way).
— Two new daily nonstop roundtrip between Panama City Beach and
Baltimore/Washington (as low as $69 one-way).
— Two new daily nonstop roundtrip between Panama City Beach and Orlando
(as low as $49 one-way)
