Southwest Air is Rolling into Branson (BKG) replacing AirTran. photo: SWA
Southwest Airlines is flying to the Live Entertainment Capitol of the World. Your good time starts when you land at Branson, Missouri Airport (BKG). The announcement came as the company revealed its plan to convert AirTran Airways operations service over to Southwest. Air Tran, which now flies into Branson, is owned by Southwest Airlines.
All 22 domestic and international airports owned by Air Tran will eventually transition to Southwest operations. The 22 other cities moving to the Southwest route map include: Flint, Michigan, Rochester, N.Y., Pensacola, Fla., Charlotte, N.C., Dayton, Ohio, Richmond, Va., Key West, Fla., Washington, D.C., Memphis, Tenn., Akron-Canton, Ohio, Branson, Mo., Wichita, Kan., Des Moines, Iowa, Portland, Maine, Grand Rapids, Mich., Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Cancun, Mexico, Montego Bay, Jamaica, Aruba, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, and Nassau, Bahamas.
In a press release, Southwest Airlines stated,
“AirTran service and Employees at these airports are planned to convert to Southwest gradually over the course of AirTran’s integration into Southwest.
“We are committed to continuing to serve these communities–at first via AirTran, and eventually as Southwest. We know there are Southwest Customers who want access to these cities, but have never before had the opportunity, and the markets have long desired Southwest service,” said Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer and AirTran Airways President Bob Jordan.
“We are excited about the cities we have chosen to keep in our combined network. At the same time, there are some markets that we simply cannot make work in the current fuel environment, so we’ve had to make the decision to discontinue service in those locations.”
The airlines earlier announced that AirTran will begin serving Mexico City, Mexico (MEX) on May 24, 2012, and San Jose Cabo, Mexico (SJD) on June 3, 2012. Those destinations also will convert to Southwest eventually. Of the 69 cities AirTran served when Southwest acquired it on May 2, 2011, 53 cities are planned to convert to full Southwest Airlines service.
Beginning Aug. 12, 2012, AirTran Airways will end operations at these six airports: Allentown, Pa. (ABE); Lexington, Ky. (LEX); Harrisburg, Pa. (MDT); Sarasota, Fla. (SRQ); Huntsville, Ala. (HSV); and White Plains, N.Y. (HPN).
Both Southwest’s and AirTran’s flight schedules reflect the travel changes that begin Aug. 12, 2012.
How’s The Weather? – Branson Weather by Southwest Airlines. Make reservations and check the weather. (It’s blue skies for Branson!)
The Branson Airport is 10 miles south of the world-famous Branson Strip. One third of all Americans live within a days drive of Branson. Practically at the center of the country, the new low-cost flights to the Branson Airport make Branson an affordable family vacation.
With over 50 theaters and more than 100 shows, Branson is the live music show capital of the world.
More Branson Information – Branson/Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Branson's newest shopping/dining experience at The Landing. Enjoy light shows, lake cruises and live entertainment. photo: ExploreBranson.com
