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

blusk
Aviator C

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.

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586 Comments
lois1
Explorer C
I recommend Southwest to anyone I have the opportunity to do so. I tout your generous checked baggage policy, your unique check-in and boarding system and most of all your fantastic no fee change policy. What more could a consumer ask for? Well, perhaps some cookies in flight (of course with the SW logo imprinted on them :)...... And now, the icing on the cake (or cookies) - flights out of Newark! If you're taking notes, a non-stop to RDU and FLL would be great! A special thanks to all your flight attendants who always give me a chuckle or a smile.
bill_Z
Explorer C
LAS VEGAS ORLANDO LAS VEGAS ORLANDO LAS VEGAS ORLANDO
Pat_Burgoyne
Explorer C
That is great news! I would love to fly there to go to NYC! Have you given any thougth to Columbia, SC or anywhere in Georgia? We have grandchildren there and would love to have service near those places.
Mikie
Explorer C
THANK YOU!!! My wife's relatives are in the New Jersey area and we have been traveling there on inferior airlines annually. Our prayers have been answered!!!! We now are praying there is a non-stop from PHX..... LUV Y'ALL ps- I worked 11 yrs for UAL - left them in 1999 and started a love affair with a superior SWA
David_Martin
Explorer C
Opportunities like this come rarely. Newark is so different from LaGuardia and Islip that it'll serve a new batch of customers. Those of us who live near Orlando have gotten spoiled at how easy it is to move around the US (even to Panama City) on Southwest. I think some of our visitors from the UK and Latin America are realizing that once arrived in Orlando, they can afford air excursions to other places in the US.
Alan_M
Explorer C
I have just 3 words for you Southwest....Panama City Beach!
Elias
Explorer C
Have you considered Syracuse New York as another airport to service?
Mimiblv
Explorer C
This is very, very exciting news. I fly from Las Vegas to Newark a couple times a year now. Hopefully you will include LAS - EWR as one of the non-stop routes. Then I can go even more often!!!
Anonymous2954
Explorer C
We'd love a nonstop from Columbus, OH. We go to NJ/NYC numerous times during the year to see family, but really need direct flights. Please, please, please consider Columbus, OH.
Janice_Urbsaiti
Explorer C
Southwest Air in Newark is great news. It can't happen soon enough for me!
Hari
Explorer C
Very exciting development. I hope you will have flights from San Jose to Newark or from Burbank to Newark. I have been waiting for this day to enable me to visit me dear ones in NJ. Thanks South West for the wonderful news. May God bless you with more growth.
Anonymous1635
Explorer C
Just confirming what we already knew - the combined United + Continental will be significantly smaller then United and Continental were separately. The merge is just a way for United to get rid of some competition, not a way for them to significantly expand their service.
Anonymous3601
Explorer C
I currently fly Southwest to Seattle 3-4 times per year, however my Seattle family is transferring to the Newark area. For this reason, I am delighted that Southwest is planning on serving the Newark area:)
Nicole_LeBlanc
Explorer C
When do you start service at GSP?
Salsawoman095
Explorer C
In the past, I flew Southwest as one of many airlines I used when I traveled. Some time ago, I started usung Southwest exclusively. I make several trips a year from my new home in NM to NJ. I've be relegated to flying into Philly and renting a car, because I would rather fly Southwest, than anyone else straight into Newark. Yippee! I'm ecstatic about this news! Can I wangle a SW flight to Antarctica for my next trip?
varsha_bhatt
Explorer C
glad to have one more option of airlines to fly to the East Coast!! I love you southwest airlines.
Bernie
Explorer C
ewr to Las Vegas. Las to ewr Please . Thank you
Anonymous330
Explorer C
Please have a flight from New Orleansn The Big Easy to the Big Apple!!
Edye
Explorer C
It's always good to see Southwest expanding to new cities. It is clearly one of the top airlines in the world. It's my favorite airline, that's for sure. Newark is an excellent expansion location. I am hoping that Southwest will be able to expand into more cities near the gulf. I know you go to New Orleans. Do you have plans to go to Biloxi/Gulfport and/or Mobile? It would make my son more assessible to his young son, who is in Moss Point ,MS. He has to fly to New Orleans to get him. My grandson's family drives over an hour and a half to meet him. at the airport. Also whenever my son, husband and I want to visit our grandson, we stay at the Beau Rivage hotel in Biloxi/Gulfport area, which is 20 minutes away from our grandson. But we have to take a rival airline to get there. We MUCH prefer Southwest. So please consider that destination in your expansion strategy.
Karen_Casey
Explorer C
As a very long-time Southwest customer I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I am that you are going to Newark Airport! I travel to the NJ/NY area many times a year. It's been much harder - time and travel wise since Southwest took away the Austin to Philadelphia non-stop flights. I usually ride the Philadelphia to New York train.... When I could fly non-stop my travel day was about 6 to 6.45 hrs. Now that there is no non-stop my travel day has become at least 9 hrs..... so I'm really looking forward to an Austin/Newark route. Hopefully non-stop... but maybe at least 1 stop where I don't have to change planes! I have started flying to Newark via Continental this past year.... but would sure rather fly Southwest! Thanks Southwest for all that you do! Karen - Austin
pamela_treadwel
Explorer C
When are you going to expand services to Charlotte.??? I fly to Charlotte to visit grand children. You would think that as USA hubs at Charlotte the costs for flights would be less. But no. USA tickets are less flying to D.C. with a stop a Charlotte than flying straight to Charlotte. United is no different. NOW, if I can only work out a way to get off there. Driving is an option, but as a senior the ll-12 hour drive becomes less viable.
Grandma
Explorer C
I CAN"T WAIT!!!!!!!! I fly Tampa to Providence now and I love you! Grandma in Fl.
Dave_Fret
Explorer C
Nonstops to/from Nashville BNA and Newark EWR would be fantastic. Continental is the only choice on this route now and offers only very expensive fares. Nashville would offer many connecting flights for us.
Fred1
Explorer C
Yes! Saint Louis to NewarK.... Bring it !!!!! Keep the expansion mode ALIVE!
Anonymous4514
Explorer C
We love southwest, but are very unhappy that you are not flying non stop fro Long Island Islip to Fort myers as often as you did, I also have a grandaughter the has been flying with you for 5 years as a minor, although the care is wonderful, I must put her on non-stop or direct with 1 stop no plane change and that is so very difficult especially you have raised the fee from $25 to $50 each way for this service
Anonymous1451
Explorer C
I would be happy with 1 stop with a reasonable layover in flying from El Paso to Newark.
April10
Explorer C
My family lives in Staten Island and New Jersey. I am excited to know we can fly Southwest/ Thank you so much/
Debbie_B
Explorer C
Direct flights from Nashville to Newark would be great!
Anonymous2185
Explorer C
I hope you will also look into the Trenton, NJ airport. (TNT) It's a small airport that many people would prefer to fly out of than going into large cities.
Anonymous2220
Explorer C
As a loyal traveler of Southwest I was so excited to see that I may be able to fly to Newark. We live in Vegas and travel to Utah and New Orleans to see children and N.J. was the only family we could not fly Southwest. I know a lot of people that will be very happy that fly to Vegas frequently and love Southwest. Good Luck J.C. a loyal customer............................
David53
Explorer C
Congrats Southwest! Glad to see u will bring your brand into the Newark, NJ area. I am a former Jersey guy. Presently I fly quite often to PHL from RDU & glad u ate USAir for lunch there & showed them how an airline is supposed to operate! I am sure u will do the same in Newark. Keep showing us some LUV!
Happy_Grandmoth
Explorer C
Yea!!! I will be able to go to see my daughter and family on Southwest!!! Would much rather fly SW than American or Continental!! Happy News!
Keith_Gallas
Explorer C
Read the press release the day it came out and there was joy in the Gallas Household. Lots of suggestions on where these flights should come from. There is lots of demand from Austin and y'all would take a huge market share from Continental if you added a direct route between these 2 cities. Can't wait.
Sarah_Mooney
Explorer C
Great News! How about a nonstop to Orlando?
McStug
Explorer C
Please tell me Charlotte is on the shortlist. Save our city from the UselessAir monopoly in the Queen City.
Anonymous2676
Explorer C
Non stop Denver to Newark -- YEAH!!
Kathy_-_Travel_
Explorer C
Being a travel agent in Baltimore, I (and my fellow agents) look forward with excitement Southwest's upcoming slots in Newark and Charleston, SC. We've been pleading for years from the Baltimore area to have flight options to Myrtle Beach, SC. Although it's not MB, Charleston is about a 90-min. drive from the Grand Strand and Golf Mecca of the World! Way to go! Now what we need is for Southwest to head into the Caribbean...San Juan would be awesome! It would open up all kinds of possibilities for my clients....especially cruisers! One of your major competitiors in Baltimore (Airtran) is currently servicing the Caribbean with flights into San Juan and Aruba! Come on Southwest....give them some competition!!!
Vera2
Explorer C
Great news! My husband and I make several trips a year from Tampa/St. Pete to Newark. We would love to do it nonstop on Southwest.
maryt
Explorer C
Greattttt Expansion! Easy rail direct from Newark to NYC Midtown. Can hardly wait for final approval! Wish you would consider Early Bird as a reward instead of drink tickets....than you would be perfectttttt mts, Radid Rewards member Illinois
Lori11
Explorer C
don't forget indy....the only nonstop now is continental and the ticket price is outrageous. no competiion for them
Anonymous4600
Explorer C
Fabulous. Wish the service started tomorrow.
John_W
Explorer C
Don't forget Cincinnati and the Delta / Northwest merger opening up gates here too. John
Anonymous947
Explorer C
Still anxiously awaiting the opening of flights into Charleston, SC. Hurry, please!!! We have a grandbaby due there in March 2011!!!!
Hersh
Explorer C
Please expand in Cleveland.Our politicians are regretting kissing Cont at others loss.I realize now we are lucky we have the gates we do.Great airline, Thanks
Nita
Explorer C
I love it anytime Southwest expands. That's all I use. Wish they would fly into Evansville, Indiana.
JP3
Explorer C
Great to have you go into NJ as I like going to Atlantic so now her I go. Keep up the great work we love you all at SWA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Russell6
Explorer C
Wow this is fantastic My favorite airline just keeps getting better Hope buffalo is on the list toeing one of the cities served by the Newark service It would give great access for buffalo passengers to an international gateway
Rosemary_L_
Explorer C
LUV,LUV,LUV SouthWest Airlines. I live 15 minutes from EWR but try to fly SouthWest because of its GREAT deals,GREAT seats and FRIENDLY employees. The only downside is that it is a 90 minute drive for me. The best thing that could happen is SouthWest coming to EWR. Thanks SW.
c_heryl
Explorer C
In 1989 Southwest started serving Sacramento Ca. $39 one way. The "big Boy" airlines couldn't or wouldn't compete. They were chased right out of the market. I love Southwest. It has payed off for them to continue to look out for us. Looking forward to my next visit to New Jersey,this time on my favorite airline. Thanks Southwest.
Sherrill_in_Cal
Explorer C
YES! Onward and eastward to Newark! Just a few weeks ago I had to use LaGuardia to visit family in New Jersey. Never liked that airport the many years I lived in NYC and like it even less after that last (I hope) experience. I guess it's too much to hope SW will do OAK-EWR non-stop, but talk about icing on the cake...