Southwest Airlines and its more than 250 local Southwest Employees celebrate 20 years of service and growth at Lambert St. Louis International Airport today.

"Our Employees have made the St. Louis market incredibly successful for Southwest, and we are thrilled to celebrate 20 years here," said Greg Wells, Southwest's vice president of ground operations. "We are pleased to bring our legendary low fares and frequent service to the St. Louis Customers year after year."

Southwest Airlines began service to Lambert St. Louis International Airport in 1985 with 17 daily nonstop departures to Chicago Midway, Houston Hobby, Kansas City, and New Orleans. Currently, Southwest operates 63 daily nonstop departures to 21 cities nationwide. The airline occupies 12 gates at Lambert St. Louis International Airport and employs more than 250 workers in St. Louis.

Other St. Louis statistics:

• Over the last 20 years, Southwest has grown to capture more than 27 percent of the St. Louis market share.
• Between third quarter 2003 and third quarter 2004, Southwest Airlines carried more than 2.4 million Customers at Lambert St. Louis International Airport.
• In 1990, the average one-way fare paid in St. Louis was $149. As of third quarter 2004, the average one-way fare paid was $135. A decrease of 9.5 percent!
• In 2004, Southwest's direct economic impact in St. Louis was more than $64 million (salaries and benefits paid to Employees, fuel, landing fees, and other expenditures). Southwest also has an investment commitment of approximately $206 million in Company resources dedicated to St. Louis.

"The Southwest Airlines Employees are to thank for our tremendous success in St. Louis," Wells said. "Our 250 plus local Teammembers work feverishly to ensure our continued growth in St. Louis."

Southwest Airlines LUVS the St. Louis community and giving the gift of education is a great way to celebrate the Company's momentous anniversary. Today, Southwest Airlines is celebrating St. Louis' 20th anniversary with 20 Hancock Place High School students. The airline is flying the special school district students to Chicago to tour the Hancock Observatory and the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum.

Southwest Airlines thanks the people and travelers of St. Louis for 20 wonderful years! Getting great deals on airfares has never been easier on Southwest. Currently, Customers who book their travel via the Internet can subscribe to Southwest's Click ‘n Save e-mail updates as well as Southwest's newest technological innovation, DING!, delivers Southwest's hottest deals directly to Customers' desktops allowing Customers to get a jump on the latest southwest.com sales! For more information, visit www.southwest.com/ding.

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