Southwest Airlines Adds New Route, More Flights from Oakland International Airport This Summer

-- Latest Addition to Expanded Route Map from OAK in 2014

Oakland, CA – Dec. 18, 2013 –Southwest Airlines, Oakland International Airport’s (OAK) largest carrier, will begin new, daily non-stop service between OAK and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and add additional frequencies on existing routes from OAK in time for the 2014 peak summer travel season.

“We’re very excited to welcome Southwest’s new, nonstop service between OAK and its biggest East Coast hub at Baltimore/Washington, as well as additional flight options to important markets where Bay Area travelers want to spend time this summer,” said Port of Oakland Director of Aviation Deborah Ale Flint. “This new service provides non-stop transcontinental flying with the ease and convenience of OAK that is preferred by Bay Area residents and visitors alike.”

Beginning June 8, Southwest’s new OAK to BWI flight will depart OAK just before Noon and arrive at BWI later that evening. Westbound, the flight will depart BWI late morning and arrive at OAK early that afternoon. This convenient daylight schedule is well-timed for both business and leisure travelers and for making connections to Southwest cities up and down both coasts.

Also starting June 8, Southwest will add a new, second-daily nonstop flight between OAK and Kansas City (MCI).

“As our largest gateway to the San Francisco Bay Area, Oakland continues to be a strong market and an important destination for Southwest,” said Andrew Watterson, Southwest Vice President, Network Planning and Performance. “We’re very pleased to provide Bay Area travelers with this new East Coast service to BWI, as well as additional summer frequencies to key markets such as Kansas City.”

Oakland International Airport is Southwest’s largest California base, where the airline employs more than 2400 team members including flight attendants, pilots, customer service, commissary and maintenance. With these latest additions, Southwest will operate 106 peak-daily flights from OAK this summer. Southwest is the exclusive operator at OAK’s newly-expanded Terminal 2.

About the Port of Oakland:
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport and Oakland International Airport. The Port's jurisdiction includes 20 miles of waterfront from the Bay Bridge through Oakland International Airport. The Oakland seaport is the fifth busiest container port in the U.S.; Oakland International Airport is the second largest San Francisco Bay Area airport offering over 300 daily passenger and cargo flights; and the Port’s real estate includes commercial developments such as Jack London Square and hundreds of acres of public parks and conservation areas. Together, through Port operations and those of its tenants and users, the Port supports more than 73,000 jobs in the region and nearly 827,000 jobs across the United States. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland. Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook, or with the Port on Twitter, YouTube, and at www.portofoakland.com.