More flights

[chase]

The batch below the initial group had already been announced, the first batch immediately below are newly announced.

Southwest Airlines Helps Customers Get to Their Favorite Destinations; Airline Offers New Daily Nonstop Flights Nationwide
August 31, 2004 11:00:00 AM ET



DALLAS, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwest Airlines LUV Chief Executive Officer, Gary Kelly, announces plans to enhance existing nonstop flights in several Southwest Airlines markets. On October 31, the airline will add new nonstop flights in the following cities: Chicago Midway, Los Angeles, Oakland, Orlando, Sacramento, and Tampa Bay. To take advantage of this new Southwest service and great low fares, visit http://www.southwest.com/jp/luvhome.shtml?src=PR_NS_093004 .

"With the delivery of new aircraft, Southwest Airlines continues to add new nonstop service to our Customers' favorite destinations," said Kelly. "Southwest is adding service to meet high Customer demand and to give our Customers more flight options when traveling." The 14 added flights break down as follows: Beginning October 31, 2004: * Two additional daily nonstop flights between Chicago Midway and Los Angeles (for a total of five daily) * Two additional daily nonstop flights between Chicago Midway and Oakland (for a total of five daily) * One additional daily nonstop flight between Chicago Midway and Tampa Bay (for a total of five daily) * One additional daily nonstop flight between Chicago Midway and Orlando (for a total of four daily) * One additional daily nonstop flight between Los Angeles and Sacramento (for a total of ten daily) Additional Southwest service Customers can look forward to beginning October 31, 2004 (previously announced): * Five new daily nonstop flights between Philadelphia and Hartford/Springfield * One new daily nonstop flight between Philadelphia and Jacksonville * One new daily nonstop flight between Philadelphia and Oakland * Two additional daily nonstop flights between Philadelphia and Orlando (for a total of five daily) * One additional daily nonstop flight between Philadelphia and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood (for a total of two daily) * One additional daily nonstop flight between Philadelphia and Los Angeles (for a total of two daily) * One additional daily nonstop flight between Philadelphia and Chicago/Midway (for a total of four daily) * One additional daily nonstop flight between Philadelphia and Manchester (for a total of five daily) * One additional daily nonstop flight between Baltimore/Washington and Nashville (for a total of ten daily) * Two additional daily nonstop flights between Baltimore/Washington and Columbus (for a total of five daily) * One additional daily nonstop flight between Chicago Midway and Tampa Bay (for a total of four daily) * Two additional daily nonstop flights between Houston Hobby and Orlando (for a total of three daily) * One additional daily nonstop flight between Houston Hobby and Los Angeles (for a total of two daily) * One additional daily nonstop flight between Islip/Long Island and Orlando (for a total of four daily) * One additional daily nonstop flight between Las Vegas and Tucson (for a total of five daily) * One additional daily nonstop flight between Saint Louis and Oklahoma City (for a total of two daily) * One additional daily nonstop flight between Saint Louis and Omaha (for a total of three daily)Southwest Airlines, the fourth largest domestic carrier in terms of Customers boarded, currently serves 60 airports in 59 cities in 31 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 2,800 flights a day.

Additional observation. Productivity, utilization is one of the bedrocks to any successful business, Southwest is no different. Southwest could open up new cities but it would require millions in expenditures to do so. With the addition of these flights Southwest is able to increase the utilization of gates, people, assets & thereby lower per unit costs per launch. While we may have to add some folks to some of these bases hopefully we'll be able to move folks to bases where there are shortages & make sure Southwest is clicking on all cylinders. Quite frankly opening up new cities doesn't excite me (unless we can make 'em all like Philly...thanks guys!!!), continuing to add flights between new pairings or adding frequency between established pairings is what I would prefer to see in terms of returning value to the stock/shareholders & making moeny. Keep up the good work. The "new" aircraft we're receiving as a result of the increased utilization/optimization software that goes into effect on 31 Oct (trick for some, treat for us) won't cost us a cent but we're adding lots of flights which is good for everyone.

To those who are still applying or waiting for the call, continue to be patient, your time will come (not soon enough I know!). To those waiting for the word from today's DB, good luck. Don't dispair if you get turned down, if we weren't hiriing so vociferously I'd be concerned but there will be plenty of future opportunities to join Southwest so don't dispair, hang in there don't forget about us. Good luck to all in their pursuit of your flying goals & careers.

 

[Juvat]

Thanks Chase! Good words.

 

[Lightninglou]

Thanks for keeping us informed Chase. With the number of new aircraft arriving on property, eventually you'll maximize all of the existing city pair routes. Are you hearing any rumors when or where SWA will open up new cites.

 

[737tanker]

The latest word on new cities is that the VP of Schedule Planning (the Dept. that selects the new cities & new routes) doesn't want to add any. What he is pushing for is to connect more of the dots. There are a lot of city pairs that SWA could do, but haven't done. For example ALB-MDW, DTW-BWI (or anywhere east or south from DTW), & CLE-anywhere in FL.

 

[StopNTSing]

The latest word on new cities is that the VP of Schedule Planning (the Dept. that selects the new cities & new routes) doesn't want to add any.

He has also reportedly commented that he could absorb 300 additional aircraft in the current system without having to add any new cities.