DALLAS, Oct. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today announced plans to expand its
footprint in Chicago and
Houston to give more travelers
access to Southwest's iconic Hospitality, low fares, and
Customer-friendly policies.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport
Work is underway
to add new service from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD),
alongside existing service from the carrier's longtime Chicago home, Midway International Airport
(MDW). Midway remains one of the busiest airports in Southwest's
network. Since first arriving in Chicago in 1985, Southwest has grown into one
of the city's largest employers with more than 4,800 Chicago-based Employees.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
As Southwest
approaches a commemoration of 50 years of flying, the carrier
intends to return to Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport
(IAH), complementing its substantial operation at Houston Hobby
(HOU). Intercontinental served as one of three airports where
Southwest operated on its first day in operation, June 18, 1971. The carrier moved to Hobby Airport
shortly thereafter though it operated service from both airports
between 1980 and 2005. Southwest remains a key employer in the
City of Houston, providing nearly
4,000 jobs.
"Southwest owes decades of success to our Employees and
Customers who have supported our business in Chicago and Houston," said Gary
Kelly, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Southwest
Airlines. "Today's announcement furthers our commitment to both
cities as we add service to share Southwest's value and Hospitality
with more leisure and business travelers."
Service to both airports is anticipated to begin in the first
half of 2021. Additional details, including schedules and fares,
will be available soon.
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 intent to
serve Chicago O'Hare International Airport and George Bush
Intercontinental Airport. These forward-looking statements are
based on the Company's current intent and expectations and are not
guarantees of future actions. 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 Company's ability to obtain necessary government
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 June 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.
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, and capping the number of
passengers on every flight to allow middle seats to remain open
through Nov. 30, 2020. 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.