Southwest Airlines Announces Service from Bradley International Airport

Southwest Airlines announced today that it will inaugurate daily service from Connecticut's Bradley International Airport on Oct. 31, 1999. Southwest will operate 12 daily nonstop departures to four cities: Baltimore/Washington, Chicago Midway, Nashville, and Orlando.

The airline will offer eight daily nonstop flights to Baltimore/Washington, two daily to Chicago Midway, one daily to Nashville, and one daily to Orlando. Southwest also will offer direct or connecting service to 29 other cities such as Houston Hobby, Ft. Lauderdale, Phoenix, and Tampa. Connecting service requires a change of planes before continuing to the final destination.

"Southwest Airlines offers an exceptional value to Customers traveling to and from Bradley International Airport. The airport is an outstanding fit for Southwest, providing low fares to all New England travelers," said Ron Ricks, Southwest’s vice president of governmental affairs. "We think service at Bradley International Airport is the perfect complement to our other New England service at T.F. Green Airport in Rhode Island and Manchester Airport in New Hampshire."

Southwest is offering a $65 one-way unrestricted fare between Bradley International Airport and Baltimore/Washington, which is a 76 percent savings from the $277 one-way fare for nonstop service currently offered by other airlines between Bradley International Airport and Baltimore/Washington. Southwest Airlines' $65 fare is available on every seat, every flight, and every day between Bradley International Airport and Baltimore/Washington. (See attached chart for fares to all destinations from Bradley International Airport.)

An even lower fare of $39 each way, based on roundtrip travel, is available with seven-day advance purchase for travel between Baltimore/Washington and Bradley International Airport. Seats are limited and an overnight stay is required. Tickets must be purchased within one day of making reservations and are nonrefundable but may be applied, if unused, toward the purchase of future travel on Southwest. Fares do not include airport-assessed passenger facility charges of up to $6 each way and a federal tax of $2.25 per segment.

Additionally, Southwest has announced a special fare of $99 or less each way between any two published destinations systemwide, including Bradley International Airport. The offer is good for roundtrip travel only, and an overnight stay is required. Seats are limited and will not be available on some flights that operate during peak travel times, including the Thanksgiving holiday. Tickets must be purchased by July 28. Travel must be completed by Dec. 6, 1999. Tickets must be purchased within one day of making reservations. For this sale, tickets are nonrefundable, but, if unused, may be applied toward the purchase of future travel on Southwest Airlines. Fares are subject to change until ticketed, and any change in itinerary may result in an increase in fare. Fares do not include airport taxes of $3 to $12 roundtrip or a federal excise tax of $2.25 per segment.

The announcement was made at a news conference in Hartford by Lt.Governor Jodi Rell and Ricks.

"Southwest Airlines' new service will make Bradley International Airport a convenient choice for residents living in Connecticut and other surrounding states," said Lt. Governor Jodi Rell. "This announcement comes at an opportune time as we plan the expansion of our present terminal and parking facilities. The anticipated increase in use of Bradley International Airport will positively influence the design of the new airport terminal and its impact on associated airport services."

Southwest will occupy two gates at Bradley International Airport and will employ 44 people when operations are fully staffed.

Southwest Airlines, now the nation's fourth largest carrier in terms of Customer boardings, serves 54 cities in 28 states - this will increase to 55 cities in 29 states when Southwest begins service to Bradley International Airport in October. The airline currently has more than 28,000 Employees and operates more than 2,450 flights a day.

www.southwest.com