Southwest Airlines Begins Service to Minneapolis/St. Paul
Inaugural Festivities Culminate With Airport Celebration and News
Conference
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, Minn., March 9 -- Southwest
Airlines today showed the Twin Cities what it means 'When LUV Comes to Town'
as it celebrated the carrier's inaugural service to Minneapolis-St. Paul
International Airport (MSP). Hundreds of Customers and Employees were on hand
as Southwest Airlines' Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO Gary Kelly
joined Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC)
Chairman Jack Lanners, Minneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak, and St. Paul Mayor Chris
Coleman in a morning news conference at the Humphrey Terminal to launch the
new service. To see Southwest Airlines' full MSP schedule or to book a flight
to or from MSP, visit: http://www.southwest.com/?src=PRPRPRNGENR000000080808
"Southwest Airlines promises to bring low fares, great Customer Service, a
strong commitment to the community, and of course, no Hidden Fees to the great
folks of Minnesota," said Kelly. "Serving Minneapolis/St. Paul has been on
our wishlist for quite some time, and it's a proud day for Southwest Airlines
to finally begin flying to the Twin Cities."
Southwest Airlines celebrates the opening of its Minneapolis/St. Paul
service today with eight daily nonstop flights to Chicago Midway, with
additional direct or connecting service to 57 destinations, including: San
Francisco, Denver, and Philadelphia. Southwest will operate from two gates in
the convenient Humphrey Terminal.
Southwest Airlines is offering fares as low as $49 one-way between
Minneapolis/St. Paul and Chicago Midway, not including fees and taxes, for
travel every day except Fridays and Sundays. These fares are available on
southwest.com only and require 14-day advance purchase for travel by May 20,
2009 (see Fare Rules below).
"The arrival of Southwest Airlines into Minnesota is a welcome boost to
the state's economy during a very trying time," said Governor Pawlenty.
"Southwest Airlines promises to bring more flight options and competition to
MSP, which is good news for our entire state and our residents."
"For years, Southwest Airlines service to the Twin Cities has been only a
hope and a goal that we continually sought to fulfill," said Chairman Lanners.
"Now, I am pleased to say it is a reality. Southwest's ticket counters are
staffed, its planes are on the ramp, and we look forward to a successful
long-term relationship that benefits the airline, the airport, and the
community."
"Minneapolis welcomes Southwest Airlines with open arms," said Minneapolis
Mayor Rybak. "The Minneapolis metro areas attract over 18 million visitors
annually, and the arrival of Southwest Airlines will no doubt increase the
region's visibility and quest to become one of the most visited cities in the
U.S."
"From a national political convention to the U.S. Figure Skating
Championships to our world-renowned theater and arts, St. Paul welcomes
visitors from around the nation throughout the year," said St. Paul Mayor
Chris Coleman. "Southwest Airlines will give more options to those visiting
the Most Livable City in America and bring more money, more jobs, and more
visitors to our great community."
This morning's press conference capped a weekend full of festivities
celebrating the inaugural flights (Southwest officially launched service on
Sunday, March 8). Dallas-based Southwest Airlines kicked the weekend off by
bringing in approximately 2,300 pounds - more than a ton - of canned chili to
donate to the Second Harvest Heartland Food Bank in recognition of Minnesota
Food Share Month. Southwest Airlines also partnered with Cub Foods at ten
local grocery stores on Sunday, offering shoppers a chance to win two
roundtrip tickets in exchange for purchasing a $5 or $10 prepared food bag to
be donated to the Second Harvest Heartland. The airline recognized the very
first Customers onboard both Sunday and Monday's flights by giving away free
coffee, cookies, newspapers, computer jumpdrives, and laptop sleeves at the
gate. To see more about the festivities, visit Southwest's blog at:
www.blogsouthwest.com.
After nearly 38 years of service, Southwest Airlines continues to
differentiate itself from other low fare carriers--offering a reliable product
with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the most productive
airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience.
Southwest recently updated its gate areas and improved its boarding procedure
to make flying Southwest convenient and simple. Southwest Airlines (NYSE:
LUV) currently serves 65 cities in 33 states (Boston Logan service begins Fall
2009). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights
a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide.
ADDITIONAL FARE RULES
Fares are only available on www.southwest.com. Southwest Airlines sale
fares are available with a 14-day advance purchase now through March 12, 2009,
and travel must take place between now and May 20, 2009. Fares do not
include a federal segment tax of $3.60 per takeoff and landing. Fares do not
include airport-assessed passenger facility charges (PFC) of $4.50 and U.S.
government-imposed September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 one-way. Seats are
limited. Fares may vary by day of travel and will not be available on some
flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods. Fares
are available for one-way travel. Fares may be combined with other eligible
fares. Fares are not combinable with Senior Fares. When combining fares, all
rules and restrictions apply. Fares are nonrefundable but may be applied
toward future travel on Southwest Airlines. Fares are not available through
the Group Desk. Any change in the itinerary may result in an increase in fare.
Standby travel requires an upgrade to the Anytime fare. Fares are subject to
change until ticketed. Fares are valid on published, scheduled service only.
www.southwest.com
