The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

OFFICIALS lauded the inaugural flight of Southwest Airlines into New Providence yesterday as an initiative which will significantly impact the tourism industry with an additional 55,000 seats per year.

The airline will offer a daily service from Baltimore-Washington to the Bahamas and next month begin flights to Atlanta. Although tourism officials could not give a value to the financial impact on the economy, they expect a significant boost.

Speaking to reporters at the Lynden Pindling International Airport , Vernice Walkine, CEO of Nassau Airport Development Company, said the new flight offers an opportunity for Bahamians to experience America’s capital with ease.

“Today we celebrate a very important milestone in the airline’s history as one of the carrier’s first international

routes,” Ms Walkine said. “We are really thrilled to welcome America’s largest airline to this airport. With daily service into Baltimore and weekly service into Atlanta beginning in August, Southwest will represent even stronger potential for growth. Today as a destination we see once again how industry partnership is key to growing airlift in this country.”

Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Transport and Aviation who is also acting as Tourism Minister, expressed confidence that Southwest Airlines will thrive in the Bahamas.

She said: “We understand the significance of today’s event and we consider this a partnership one in which we have a vested interest. We note that Mr (Jack) Smith (Southwest Vice President) you have consistently met your target of a 13.1 per cent return on investment capital. (And) we note that you have been seeking to further expand your international footprint in the Caribbean and you are now in the Bahamas.

Mr Smith said the airline was excited to offer the new service with a view to giving passengers a convenient way to travel while connecting them to Southwest’s vast services domestically and internationally.

He said currently there are no plans to offer services to the Family Islands but that it remains on the radar when the company begins expansion.

Southwest Airlines is in its 44th year of service and is based in Dallas, Texas. With more than 45,000 employees, Southwest boasts of service to around 100 million customers annually.

The airline further operates the largest fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft in the world.

Southwest Airlines prides itself on low fares, no bag fees, no change fees leather seats and fairly new airplanes.