Southwest adds 9 new flights at Oakland International Airport on June 5

Oakland, Calif. - June 4, 2016 - On Sunday, June 5, Southwest Airlines will commence nine new flights at Oakland International Airport (OAK).

As the summer travel kicked off with the Memorial Day weekend, these new flights are expected to boost an expectedly busy summer by increasing passenger traffic by more than 4%, once incorporated. With Sunday’s flight additions, OAK and Southwest will offer more daily departures by a single airline from a Bay Area airport to Southern California with 43 peak nonstop flights per day. In sum, new and increased Southwest service beginning Sunday at OAK includes:

• Long Beach (LGB)  4-times-daily nonstop
• Reno-Tahoe (RNO)  3-times-daily nonstop
• St. Louis (STL)  Once-daily nonstop
• Baltimore/Washington, DC (BWI)  Twice daily nonstop, up from once daily

Southwest already is the largest carrier in the Bay to Basin Corridor with 55% seat share, and 48% of those flights operating out of Oakland. With the June 5th additions, Southwest will offer more nonstop destinations from OAK than it does from any other Bay Area airport. Southwest also operates more departures from Oakland than from the other Bay Area airports with a peak day schedule of over 120 flights.
“These new flights solidify Oakland’s ability to connect the Bay to Basin Corridor to the San Francisco Bay Area," said Bryant Francis, the Port of Oakland's Director of Aviation. Francis joined the Port of Oakland two months ago to take the helm at OAK, coming from the same role at Long Beach Airport (LGB). He adds, "These strengthened ties to Long Beach, and new links to St. Louis and Reno-Tahoe come at the perfect time, as OAK is in the midst of a sustained growth period that has continued for over two years. OAK is the perfect airport for travelers to the San Francisco Bay Area, particularly because of the central location and proximity to businesses, residences, and tourism attractions."
"Not only is OAK centrally located in the Bay area with great access enabled by the new Oakland Airport BART station, Southwest's OAK Customers now benefit from nonstop service to all five LA Basin airports. That is effectively interchangeable on-the-fly with our low fares and no change fees," said Andrew Watterson, Southwest Airlines Senior Vice President of Network & Revenue. "It's effortless to fly into one LA airport and out of any of the other four without a penalty and only Southwest can bring that time-savings and fee-savings value."
The Bay Area is the third busiest US air service market on an origin and destination basis, and OAK recently reported its 29th consecutive month of passenger growth. Southwest carries more passengers beginning or ending their trips in the Bay Area than any other airline.
About Oakland International Airport
Oakland International is the fourth largest airport in California and second largest in the San Francisco Bay Area. Serving over 11 million travelers each year, OAK is the closest airport to the region’s top tourism and entertainment venues. It is also the closest airport for most local residents. The airport currently offers air service to 55 destinations on 13 different airline brands – seven of which operate with OAK as their sole gateway into the San Francisco Bay region. The vision of Oakland International Airport is to offer customers a world-class experience and be the airport of choice for Bay Area residents and visitors alike. OAK is operated by The Port of Oakland, which also oversees the Oakland seaport and 20 miles of waterfront. Together with its business partners, the Port supports more than 73,000 jobs in the region and nearly 827,000 jobs across the United States. For up-to-the-minute departure and arrival information, airport maps, and details on shopping, dining, transportation, and more, visit www.oaklandairport.com. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About Southwest Airlines Co.
In its 45th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 49,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually. Southwest proudly operates a network of 97 destinations across the United States and seven additional countries with more than 3,900 departures a day during peak travel season.
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. That connectivity enables Customers to use their personal devices to view video on-demand movies and television shows, as well as more than 20 channels of free, live TV compliments of our valued Partners. Southwest created Transfarency, a philosophy which treats Customers honestly and fairly, and in which low fares actually stay low. Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free® to everyone (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply, some airlines may allow free checked bags on select routes or for qualified circumstances), and there are no change fees, though fare differences might apply. In 2014, the airline proudly unveiled a bold new look: Heart. The new aircraft livery, airport experience, and logo, showcase 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 whenever the carrier enters new markets. With 43 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 2014 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found at SouthwestOneReport.com. Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

About the Port of Oakland

The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport, and 20 miles of waterfront. Together with its business partners, the Port supports more than 73,000 jobs in the region and nearly 827,000 jobs across the United States. Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook, or with the Port on Twitter, YouTube, and at www.portofoakland.com.

Media contact:
Keonnis R. Taylor
[email protected]
Tel. 510-563-6500

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