Carrier Agrees To Purchase Slots To Provide More Than Two Dozen Additional Daily Departures At Washington Reagan National Airport Beginning This Year

Southwest Airlines has confirmed it was notified of its winning bid in an auction for 54 slots–allowing 27 additional daily flights–that will bring more competition to Reagan National Airport, three miles from downtown Washington, D.C. Details of the carrier's bid to acquire divested slots remain confidential under terms of the deal and are subject to final approval of the Department of Justice and completion of customary written agreements. The additional slots will translate to an increase in Southwest's service at Reagan National from 17 daily departures to 44 daily departures. The carrier plans to announce destinations, schedules, and fares for the additional flights later this quarter and anticipates it will begin flying in the third quarter of 2014.

The slots that Southwest will purchase at Reagan National became available as a result of a settlement of litigation last fall by the U.S. Department of Justice against the merger of American Airlines and US Airways. In a separate development, Southwest recently announced new service between Reagan National and Kansas City International Airport beginning Feb. 1, 2014.

"Consumers who appreciate the value and reliability that Southwest and our People deliver are the real winners in this deal," said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, & CEO. "With Southwest's all-Boeing 737 fleet, we will provide Reagan travelers with more choices, lower fares, and great Customer Service. Reagan has long been a convenient but high-fare airport. Southwest plans to change that by bringing much needed competition to the nation's capital."

The announcement was welcomed by the airline's pilots union. "SWAPA pilots always welcome new destinations and increased flying opportunities, so this is very good news," said Captain Mark Richardson, SWAPA President. "Only once or twice over an entire career are large numbers of slots made available to reshape the marketplace. The last time this occurred was two decades ago when Eastern and Pan Am went out of business. Our leaders at Southwest Airlines showed determination and resolve to win these slots. We were pleased to be able to partner with the Company on this effort."

(Image provided by Southwest Airlines)

FMI: www.southwest.com, www.swapa.org