DALLAS, Dec. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today shared its intention to bring
service to Santa Barbara Airport and Fresno Yosemite International Airport in the second
quarter of 2021.
"Our arrival in the Heart of California, both on the Central Coast and in
the Central Valley, will round out nearly four decades of
investment in our California Customers and communities," Southwest
Airlines Chief Commercial Officer & Executive Vice President
Andrew Watterson said. "While other
airlines seem to fall in and out of love with the state, we're
focused on increasing the reach of our low fares and flexible
policies in places where we expect them to make a difference."
"For years residents and businesses throughout Central California have expressed a desire for
Southwest service and connectivity to their vast network of
destinations and renowned customer service," said Kevin Meikle, Director of Aviation for Fresno
Yosemite International Airport. "Southwest will expand the Central
Valley's air transportation gateway to Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and
we look forward to our new partnership with Southwest and their
arrival in the spring."
"We salute Southwest's bold decision to enter one of the most
vibrant and beautiful regions in California, bringing visitors to our sweeping
coastline to experience our mild Mediterranean climate and
distinctive Spanish-influenced architecture," said Mayor
Cathy Murillo of Santa Barbara. "For our residents, our
partnership with Southwest will energize the economic rebound to
come in 2021."
Along with Palm Springs, which
received its first Southwest flight on Nov.
19, 2020, the addition of Fresno and Santa
Barbara will position Southwest Airlines as an option in 13
California airports before summer 2021, further deepening the
carrier's commitment to the Golden State. Southwest long has
carried more air travelers to, from, and within California than any other carrier, a legacy
sustained in the most recent reporting of U.S. Department of
Transportation data on airline passengers traveling nonstop.
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 intention to serve Santa Barbara Airport and
Fresno Yosemite International Airport and other new destinations.
These forward-looking statements, based on the Company's current
intent and expectations, 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 are (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 delivered by nearly 58,000
Employees to a Customer base that topped 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 2020, the carrier added service to
Hilo, Hawaii; Cozumel, Mexico; Miami, and Palm
Springs, Calif. Southwest will begin service to two new
seasonal destinations in Colorado,
Steamboat Springs and Montrose (Telluride) on Dec. 19, 2020. In 2021, Southwest will begin
service to both Chicago (O'Hare)
and Sarasota/Bradenton on February
14; both Savannah/Hilton Head
and Colorado Springs on
March 11; Houston (Bush) on April
12; and, Jackson, Miss., on
June 6. The carrier has announced an
intention to add service in the second quarter of 2021 in
Fresno and Santa Barbara.
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, and 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.