2009-10-21 23:31:02 -

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) today announced it will serve the new Northwest Florida – Panama City International Airport when it opens in May 2010. Southwest did not release specific service details, but said it would offer multiple destinations from the first international airport to be opened in the nation in more than a decade.

“We are very pleased to welcome Southwest Airlines to Northwest Florida,” said Airport Authority Chairman Joe Tannehill. “One of our primary goals in relocating our airport was to attract low-fare service to our region. With this announcement, we have secured service from the world’s premier low-fare airline. This is a great day for our entire region.”

Southwest Airlines is the nation’s low-fare airline, currently serving 65 cities

in 33 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates 3,300 flights a day and has more than 35,000 employees system-wide. The airline said it would provide more details of its future service from Northwest Florida in the coming months.

“Most people are familiar with the concept of the ‘Southwest Effect.’ While it’s impossible to put an exact number on the impact of this announcement, it’s big,” said Tannehill. “Low-fare service will turbocharge our regional tourism industry and economic development efforts. You don’t have to look any further than Fort Myers to see what Southwest service can mean to a region.”

A number of local organizations have committed to helping launch the new Southwest service. They include both the Bay and Walton County Commissions and their respective Tourist Development Councils, which have also pledged marketing support towards this effort, and Coastal Vision 3000, the Northwest Florida business group which created the regional destination brand, THE Beach. Additionally, The St. Joe Company (NYSE:JOE) has entered into a strategic alliance with Southwest Airlines.

“Attracting Southwest Airlines has truly been a regional effort,” said Tannehill. “And I believe this new low-fare service will benefit our region and our local economy for decades to come.”


The Panama City Bay County International AirportRandy Curtis,

Executive Director, 850-763-6751