This was just reported on wjhg.com (Panama City NBC affiliate). I am hopeful that this type of activity will help to open up our area to a lot more business and opportunities!
Southwest Airlines announced it will start flying to the new Panama City Airport on May 23rd. It also announced this morning it will also have daily non-stop flights to Orlando, Fl and Houston, Tx. This is in addition to the previously announced Nashville and Washington/Baltimore daily non stop flights..
Grab your beach ball, it’s on! Southwest Airlines brings FUN in the sun to Panama City Beach, Florida! Flights are on sale today for the much-anticipated May 23, 2010, start of service! The Dallas-based airline will offer a better way to the beach with a total of eight daily nonstop departures:
· Panama City Beach (ECP) to/from Nashville (BNA) – two daily flights
· Panama City Beach (ECP) to/from Houston Hobby (HOU) – two daily flights
· Panama City Beach (ECP) to/from Baltimore/Washington (BWI) – two daily flights
· Panama City Beach (ECP) to/from Orlando (MCO) – two daily flights
Southwest is offering these new flights with fares as low as $49 each way to Orlando and $69 each way to Baltimore/Washington, Houston, and Nashville with a 14-day advance purchase (see fare rules below). For more information on the new service see our blog post: blogsouthwest.com.
“Southwest Airlines is excited to bring to this brand new, top-notch airport an all-jet Boeing 737 fleet, our generous Bags Fly Free service where we don’t charge you extra for your first two checked bags, and our outstanding Customer Service,” said Bob Montgomery, Southwest Airlines Vice President of Properties. “We have been eyeing this region for a long time and have been extremely impressed by the amount of passion the community has put behind bringing Southwest Airlines to their hometown.”
In addition to the eight daily nonstop flights, Southwest Airlines will offer direct or connecting service to more than 58 destinations from Panama City Beach, including Dallas and Chicago. Southwest Airlines will operate from Gate 3 at the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport with approximately 30-35 Employees who will call the region home.