DALLAS, Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today announced plans to expand its
Florida service by adding flights
at Sarasota Bradenton
International Airport (SRQ) in first quarter of 2021. Sarasota will be the carrier's tenth airport
served in the State of Florida and
is the tenth airport in a list of new places to join the Southwest
route map in the coming eight months as the carrier furthers its
reach of friendly policies, iconic Hospitality, and value and
comfort. Service details including the initial flight schedule and
fares for Sarasota-Bradenton will be announced soon.
"We'll arrive in Sarasota-Bradenton as Southwest marks 25 years of serving the Sunshine State. Our
Customers who choose SRQ will land closer to their preferred
beaches and business meetings, benefiting from our added investment
in the growing region between our longtime cities of Tampa Bay and Ft. Myers," Steve Goldberg, Southwest Airlines Senior Vice
President of Operations and Hospitality said. "Locals who fly
Southwest can also pair their preferred airline and airport, and
get in the air faster with a shorter drive to SRQ."
"We are thrilled to welcome Southwest Airlines to the Sarasota
Bradenton International Airport (SRQ). This is especially
significant during these challenging times in aviation,"
Rick Piccolo, President, CEO of the
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport said. "Southwest's low
fares and renowned customer service will provide the bi-county
community, as well as our inbound visitors, with access to the vast
network of destinations that Southwest Airlines serves."
Previously announced Southwest service to Miami begins Nov.
15.
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
plans and expectations, including its intent to
serve Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and other new
destinations. These forward-looking statements are based on the
Company's current intent and expectations and are not guarantees of
future actions. Forward-looking 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. Among others, factors
include (i) the Company's ability to obtain necessary approvals and
the impact of governmental regulations and other governmental
actions related to the Company's operations; (ii) the extent of the
impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on overall demand for air travel
and the Company's related business plans and decisions; (iii) the
impact of economic conditions, governmental actions, extreme or
severe weather and natural disasters, fears of terrorism or war,
actions of competitors, fuel prices, consumer perception, and other
factors beyond the Company's control, on consumer behavior and the
Company's business decisions, plans, and strategies; (iv) the
Company's dependence on third parties; (v) the impact of labor
matters on the Company's plans and expectations; and (vi) 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 December
31, 2019, and in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the fiscal quarter ended September 30,
2020.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 50th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines
Co. continues to differentiate itself from other air
carriers with exemplary Customer Service to a Customer base topping
130 million passengers in 2019. Southwest became the nation's
largest domestic air carrier in 2003 and maintains that ranking
based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent
reporting of domestic originating passengers boarded. In peak
travel seasons during 2019, Southwest operated more than 4,000
weekday departures among a network of 101 destinations in
the United States and 10
additional countries. In early 2020, the carrier added service to
Hilo, Hawaii, and Cozumel, Mexico. Southwest will begin service
to Palm Springs, California and
Miami on Nov. 15, as well as two new seasonal destinations
in Colorado, Steamboat Springs and Montrose (Telluride) on Dec. 19,
2020. In 2021, the carrier will add service at Chicago (O'Hare) on Feb. 14, and Colorado
Springs on March 11, and has
announced intended service next year at Houston (Bush Intercontinental), Savannah,
Jackson, Miss., and Sarasota-Bradenton.
The carrier issued its Southwest® Promise in
May 2020 to highlight new and
round-the-clock efforts to support its Customers and Employees
wellbeing and comfort. Among the changes are enhanced cleaning
efforts at airports and onboard aircraft, face covering
requirements for Customers and Employees. Additional details about
the Southwest Promise are available at
Southwest.com/Promise.
Southwest coined Transfarency® to
describe its purposed philosophy of treating Customers honestly and
fairly, and low fares actually staying 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 carriers offer free checked bags on
select routes or in qualified circumstances). Southwest does not
charge change fees, though fare differences might apply.
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. Learn more about how the carrier gives
back to communities across the world by visiting
Southwest.com/citizenship.
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.