SOUTHWEST AIRLINES AND CONTINENTAL AIRLINES ENTER INTO SLOT LEASE AT NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (EWR)

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SOUTHWEST AIRLINES AND CONTINENTAL AIRLINES ENTER INTO SLOT LEASE AT NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (EWR)

DALLAS—Aug. 27, 2010—Southwest Airlines and Continental Airlines confirmed today that they entered into a lease providing Southwest Airlines access to 36 Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) slots which are currently held by Continental.

 The lease deal, contingent upon the closing of the Continental and United airlines’ merger by Nov. 30, 2010, and certain governmental approvals, would give Southwest Airlines the right to operate up to 18 daily roundtrip flights at Newark, New Jersey, with some flights beginning in March 2011 and a full schedule in place by June 2011. The slots are spread throughout the day and would allow Southwest the ability to integrate Newark service conveniently into its extensive national route network.

 “We are excited by the opportunity to initiate service from Newark, New Jersey, and we plan to enable that service starting next March through continued flight schedule optimization using our existing fleet,” said Bob Jordan, Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President of Strategy and Planning. “We’ve seen tremendous demand for Southwest Airlines in the New York City/Newark area in the past year.  Customers are clamoring for our unique brand of hospitality, great value, low fares, extensive flight network, and our terrific Employees who deliver outstanding Customer Service. Adding Newark provides an excellent complement to our LaGuardia and Long Island service, giving Customers one more option for travel to and from the greater New York City/New Jersey area. This service also will provide a needed injection of low fares and competition into the New York/Newark market.”

 Southwest is working with the Federal Aviation Administration, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Continental and United Airlines to finalize arrangements for commencing its Newark service in March 2011, including the approval of the acquisition of the necessary airport gates and facilities.  Details on what cities Southwest will serve from Newark and on what dates that service will begin have not yet been determined.

 “The divestiture of slots at Newark by the combined Continental/United will ensure competition is enhanced, and we appreciate the Department of Justice’s role in finding a fair solution,” Jordan said.

 After 39 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 nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded and currently serves 69 cities in 35 states. Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One Report™.  Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide.  When shopping for Southwest online, it's important to know that Southwest Airlines’ low fares are only available at http://www.southwest.com/?src=PREMNASEWRANNOUNC100827.

This news release contains forward-looking statements related to Southwest’s lease of slots at Newark Liberty International Airport and its related plans and expectations. These statements are based on Southwest’s current intent, beliefs, and expectations and are not guarantees of future results. These statements also involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by them. Factors include, among others, (i) the timely closing of the Continental and United airlines’ merger, (ii) receipt of necessary governmental approvals and the timing thereof, (iii) approval of the acquisition of the necessary airport gates and facilities and the timing thereof, and (iv) changes in consumer demand and preferences related to the Company’s service and changes in the Company’s overall business plan and strategies.###

[Paula6]

Yeah!!!!!!!!!! I love Southwest Airlines!!!!! Non-stop from Orlando would be GREAT

[Jackie5]

I love it. Now I don't have to take the train to Islip. I'd love to see you go into Melbourne, Florida. That airport needs a good jolt and Southwest can do it. It would mean 3 or 4 flights a year to me alone. Congratulations on your continued success

[Joe11]

This is awesome news! I insist on flying Southwest so I have to fly into Philadelphia to get to northern New Jersey. Newark would cut over an hour off my ground travels in NJ! This is fantastic! Thanks!!!

[steelstrings]

Way to go Southwest Air!!!! I live in Austin, TX and to have to fly into Philly and drive up to get to the NJ/NYC area or, dare I say it, fly with another airline. Just add Atlanta, Hawaii and a few choice international destinations to your roster and you will have truly conquered the world. You are the best and have earned it!! Keep up the great work.

[Gealann_in_NJ]

GREAT! EWR is much closer to me than either Philly or LGA. Can't wait!!

[betsey]

I'm thrilled that SW has this great opportunity!!! you all continue to be the nicest people around. its just a pleasure to get to your check in folks and know that you can relax for the rest of the trip!!!! On a selfish note my husband and I live in NJ and have to travel hours to Phila to go to Tampa. We are hopful that route will be available!! We will keep our fingers crossed. Best of luck to you all.

[karen_Sok]

Good morning, I am so excited to hear that, my sister and my brother can now fly with your Southwest air line. Most every year, or just passed 9 moth , I flew to Denver, Baltimore and already booded for Thanksgiven on Nov. The other for next year my two nieces will get marry on the summer, so all my family ( Texsa, Denver, New York, Aokland, Michican, Ohio, Seatle.Tampa ) will be your costomer. I love to fly Southest.

[Denis]

GREAT NEWS IF IT GOES THRU!! I like to cruise out the NJ port and have done it twice. But, because of cost getting there from New York airport, I do not consider it any longer. This would open up that port for my cruises. I hope you will hane non stops from either Houston or Austin as I now live in Bryan, Texas. Just moved here from San Antonio. Thanks, Denis

[Rickie]

Yea..Go Southwest....Please Go non stop from Oakland.

[sjd]

will your re-institute the direct flights that continental had from srq to newark?

[Anonymous4380]

Please add Savannah, GA

[Hal_Wurst]

This is good news. Please consider non stop round trip service from EWR Liberty/ Newark, New Jersey to PHX / Phoenix, AZ. I'm sure you can fill the seats with Continental patron's that are over charged. Can't wait to see / hear the new service plan. Good luck. HRW

[sharon11]

I would love to see non stop from Tampa to Newark.

[em17967]

I hope the non-stop to LAX comes with Newark. Newark is so much easier than ANY NYC airport!!!!!!

[sullivan]

I have hear you might start flights into SC, - I really hope this is true. - I go out of my way and drive 4 extra hours and now fly into either JAX or RDI... then, - the next target should be just outside of Atlanta somewhere...

[Anonymous2922]

What cities will you be serving out of Newark?

[No_Place_like_h]

I am soooooo excited to hear about the new location at Newark! I grew up in NJ and frequently fly back to visit family. Although I have been in Cali for 8 years, I travel every other week for business and this new stop is a perfect addition to my life. Thank you Southwest!!!!

[Ken_M_]

Southwest is great airline to fly and best employees, been flying Southwest since 1984;

[Francine_-_So_F]

The ideal non-stop location to Newark for Southwest Air would be to/from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers, FL. We need you here, we will fill your seats. Thanks for growing and being the BEST!

[Anonymous1789]

Thank you! Thank you !As a 69 year old Grandma, I really appreciate being able to fly to Newark to see my grandchildren!!! The drive to Philadelphia was a real drag on family and friends!! Janet

[Noel]

Gracias. I'm from New Jersey living in Chicago, great news

[Anonymous2697]

By all means a Nashville to newark connection !

[Donna9]

Will there be service out of Tucson to Newark? Tucson has lost most non-stop flights except for what SWA provides.

[Rick_OK]

This is great news. The commute from West Islip to New jersey was always a chore. This past winter flying out of Philly I was cancelled twice for airport closure while if I flew out of Newark I would have gotten out. Congrats again for putting the customer first as you always do.

[Vicky11]

Hooray for SW airlines. I am a frequent user of this airline and have never been disappointed. I go to EWR quite often and now I can use my favorite carrier and save $$ to boot. Thank you SW!

[MHP]

This is great news! My daughter has lived in NYC for 10 years. In those 10 years she has married and has two little boys. It would be absolutely magnificent if she could visit me in Jackson, MS and not have to change planes. Please consider a nonstop from NYC to Jackson, MS. Thanks!

[Marcy2]

Congrats on the Garden State addition! I would LUV it if you come to Richmond!! That would save us hours as we now commute 2+ hours to Dulles or 3+ hours to BWI, not to mention fighting the beltway traffic as we normally fly on Fridays!! Come on...you can do it!!! LUV that you opened in Milwaukee! That airport has really livened up with your presence.

[Anonymous2108]

This is wonderful news. I hope you will have nonstop from lax.

[Mary_W]

This is so great! We just relocated from Phoenix to NJ and have really missed the ability to fly Southwest. Thank you for being flexible and expanding your horizons!

[Chris_Toohey]

I just booked a flight into La Guardia to visit family in New Jersey Now I will see them more often. Thank you S. W. I love flying with you, I began when Morris Air and then it became South West. I have flown with you since you began 39 years ago. YOU ARE THE BEST AIR LINE IN THE USA !!!!!!!! Another great airport with lots of travelers is XNA home of the Wal Mart people. Would love to see you there.

[Ron_B]

This is great news! Making a non-stop between Newark/EWR and Reno-Tahoe/RNO would be exclusive (and fantastic!) as there aren't any with any other airline. Folks from NJ don't like going to NY city airports due to traffic etc. and Philadelphia is twice the distance for most. Can't wait for this to happen!!!

[from_New_Mexico]

I've been waiting for this news seems like forever! Southwest is the tops for customer service

[Marshall]

This will save me about 3 hours and make it possible to go to the Mid West from Newark airport, which is currently not possible without a two-stop flight (3 legs). In most cases it is not possible to get to my destination (Omaha, NE) in the same day from Newark due to schedules. I wonder if SW will consider using Omaha as a hub for flights passing through the mid west. The OMA airport is very easy to use and never busy.

[Shirley2]

Yes! I love my Southwest. You guys are the best, and I'm from the North Jersey area and still have family there. So this is perfecto! Woo-hoo! I had to go to Jersey to a funeral last month and unfortunately had to fly another airline because of the last-minute need built into traveling to a funeral. I travel very, very frequently, and I am glad to see your growth and expansion. I wonder if you might find a way to work your way into the Atlanta Airport???? 🙂

[Sam_Williamson]

I'm quite glad Southwest has access to Newark Airport. However, I would be more pleased if we could have at least minimal service via Southwest here in Atlanta, Georgia. Good luck

[Joan_Meier]

Fantastic news! Looking forward to your new location!

[Janet_Marie]

St. Louis to Newark PLEASE...Non-stop with LARGE aircraft. All we have anymore from STL are small planes. My fear of flying is bad enough, and those small planes only make it worse!

[Carolyn111]

Hope Southwest will consider San Antonio Texas, [SAT] to Newark [EWR] !!

[Elaine5]

Does this mean Islip will become a "step-cjild" with fewer flights? Don't see how you can run the same flights from both airports. Please clarrify.

[Tired_of_Paying]

Thank you, thank you, thank you Southwest for hearing us...now we can fly into NJ on SW when we come east to see our families...SW is our fave airline. this is just great!!!

[Anonymous578]

So happy you're going to Newark! Now I can visit my New Jersey mom without having to go into Phlly. Hooray!

[Mary_Ann_Mahane]

I'm sooooo glad! SW is my favorite......but so are my New Jersey grandchildren......to see them, I have had to choose or ask children to drive into the metro area to get me. Please connect Columbus to Newark!

[Anonymous3093]

Any chance of service to Sarasota, Fl. in the near future?? Great news about Newark!!

[Anonymous4231]

YEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nancy_Nolan]

I am very happy about the Newark service as I fly to NJ often and am always disappointed that I can't use Southwest. I travel VERY often from Orlando to LI Islip and Las Vegas to visit family. However, I live 90 minutes from the Orlando airport. CAN YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO ADDING MELBOURNE, FL AS AN AIRPORT YOU SERVICE??? I have spoken to many of my family and friends and they would ALL use this airport to fly out of. Thank you, Nancy Nolan Sebastian, FL

[Anonymous3127]

"I'm so excited ... I just can't hide it ... I'm about to lose control and I think I like it"!!!!!!!!

[1AGuy]

SW needs to start competing head on markets where the airfares are high due to limited service. SW also needs to start looking at areas where there is higher density of population and where landing fees might be a bit higher. They also need to look at small under serverd markets that have a high potential of filling a single flight, specially on weekends and/or seasonal. I propose: EWR - MIA starting with 2 per day EWR - EYW starting with 1 per day EWR - PVD complements flights in and out of PVD now EWR - BDL starting with 1 per day EWR - MCO starting with 2 per day EWR - TPA starting with 2 per day EWR - BWI starting with 2 per day EWR - ATL starting with 2 per day EWR - MSY starting with 1 per day SW should consider under served markets like: MCO - EYW ATL - EYW Just some suggestions

[Anonymous4465]

Finally!!! Thanks Sowthwest. Please add Norfolk, VA to the route and I'll never drive up on I95 and past Washington, DC.

[go_red_soxs]

OK Newark I do not see the need this is only happening because we lost Continental to United and United did not need those gates so Southwest grab them.. Southwest needs to look in newer aircraft for example Airbus 320's its a better built airplane and the rangs is longer so Southwest could use them for longer flights from lets say Boston Seattle or Manchester to PHX. I hope these cities are important to Southwest's long term growth. in order by importance. Portland Maine, Des Moines IA, Charlotte NC, Scranton PA, and Charleston SC.. Please help us out with a couple we need Southwest In at least two of these markets. tired of driving to boston to fly Southwest when I could use Portland. Thanks/....\

[Anonymous3689]

I am excited! I have lots of family in the east coast who will definitely take advantage of this. Living in California this is a blessing!. I wish you will consider having one at Santa Barbara! 🙂