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Southwest to Introduce Nonstop Columbus

Press Releases, Airport
February 19th, 2015

Press Release

For Immediate Release
February 19, 2015

Southwest to Introduce Nonstop Columbus - Oakland Service

And Increase Dallas Love - OAK to Double Daily

 

Oakland, Calif. - Feb. 19, 2015 - Southwest Airlines has announced the introduction of nonstop service linking Columbus, Ohio with the San Francisco Bay Area with new flights between Port Columbus International Airport (CMH) and Oakland International Airport (OAK) beginning August 9, 2015.

Columbus and the Bay Area are both home to the headquarters of Fortune 500 corporations and share a number of key industries, including technology, financial services, logistics, education, medical research and healthcare. Having daily nonstop service is seen as a boon to economic development in both regions.

In addition, travelers using the new route to Oakland will find easy connections on Southwest to Seattle-Tacoma and Spokane, Washington; Portland, Oregon and Boise, Idaho.

“The economies of both Columbus and the San Francisco Bay Area booming,” said Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman. “This new nonstop service by Southwest opens new opportunities for business and tourism in both directions.”

Starting August 9, Southwest Flight 2751 will depart Columbus daily at 5:50 a.m. and arrive in Oakland at 8:00 a.m. The return Flight 1983 will depart Oakland daily at 11:50 a.m. and arrive in Columbus at 7:20 p.m. (All times local.)

“Thanks to Southwest Airlines, there’s a new, direct connection for business and leisure travel between Columbus and the Bay Area’s most convenient gateway, Oakland International Airport,” said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. “OAK’s central location and easy access to BART are a time-saving convenience for the growing number of visitors to Oakland and the rest of the Bay Area.”

The new Columbus service represents the fifth new OAK route for inauguration in 2015, following the January launch of new service to Baltimore-Washington DC (BWI) and Dallas Love Field (DAL), and the previously announced daily services to Nashville International Airport (BNA) and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) starting on June 7, 2015.

Dallas Love – OAK Increased to Double Daily

Responding to high demand for its new daily nonstop service between Dallas Love Field and OAK begun in January, Southwest has also announced the addition of a second daily nonstop flight beginning April 8, 2015.

"Southwest Airlines continues to be a strong partner in introducing Oakland International Airport to more people across the country as the premier gateway to the San Francisco Bay Area,” said Deborah Ale Flint, Director of Aviation for Port of Oakland. “These new additions to Southwest’s OAK flight schedule offer great opportunities for business and family travel.”

Oakland International Airport is Southwest Airlines’ largest operational base in California. The new Columbus service will bring to 23 the total number of nonstop destinations served by the carrier from OAK, with 14 of them served only from OAK in the Bay Area. Southwest will offer 110 peak-day departures from OAK in its Summer schedule effective June 7, 2015. More than 2,400 Southwest employees are based at OAK, including pilots, flight attendants, customer service, air cargo, aircraft maintenance, ground equipment and commissary personnel. Recently named one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE and 2015 ‘Airline of The Year’ by Air Transport World, Southwest Airlines began service from OAK in 1986.

“Our growth at Oakland International is a reflection of strong consumer demand for travel to and from the San Francisco Bay Area and the airport’s focus on providing a convenient, customer-friendly travel experience that’s consistent with our product,” said Andrew Watterson, senior vice president network and revenue management at Southwest Airlines.

Southwest Airlines flight, fare and ticketing information is available online at southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

OAK Travel Reminders:

Park Close at OAK
Ample parking within short walking distance of passenger terminals is always available at OAK. Travelers can take advantage of substantial savings off regular parking rates in the airport’s Premier, Hourly, and Daily lots with frequent discount promotions offered online at www.oaklandairport.com.

BART to OAK
Oakland International Airport has its own Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station providing a direct connection to the entire BART system from the front of the OAK passenger terminal. Fare and real time departure information are available at www.bart.gov. . AC Transit bus service, taxi and area shuttle options are also available.

Other Travel Tips
For packing tips that will save time at security checkpoints, travelers can visit the Transportation Security Administration website at www.tsa.gov.

Members of the news media needing information or assistance in reporting news about Oakland International Airport may call the airport's 24-hour Media Hotline at (510) 563-6500.

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.

About Southwest Airlines Co.:
In its 44th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by nearly 46,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually. Southwest operates more than 3,400 flights a day, serving 93 destinations across the United States and five additional countries. Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s most recent data, Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded. The Company operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world, the majority of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi providing gate to gate connectivity while over the United States. That connectivity enables Customers to use their personal devices to access streaming music provided by Beats Music or to view video on-demand movies and television shows, as well as nearly 20 channels of free, live TV compliments of DISH. Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer Bags Fly Free® (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply), and there are never change fees, although fare differences might apply. In September 2014, the airline proudly unveiled Heart, a new aircraft livery, airport experience, and logo, showcasing the dedication of Southwest Employees to connect Customers with what’s important in their lives.

From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic wherever the carrier serves. With 41 consecutive years of profitability, Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet. The 2013 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found at Southwest.com/citizenship.

Media Contact:

Keoni Wagner,
Aviation Marketing and Communications
(510) 563-2892
(510) 563-6500 (after hours)
[email protected]