Southwest Airlines and Volaris Take the Next Step Toward Codeshare
DALLAS, April 27/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --Southwest Airlines today will offer Customers the ability to book flights to Mexico on Volaris via a convenient online link to Volaris' booking portal on www.southwest.com. The two airlines previously announced their plans to eventually enter a codeshare agreement that will allow the carriers to offer Customers a seamless travel experience to a wide array of destinations. While the airlines plan to announce codeshare flight schedules by early 2010, the availability of Volaris flights via the link on southwest.com is an important first step forward in the relationship. Southwest Airlines does not offer service to Mexico. To view a blog post, visit: http://www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/qa-volaris.
Southwest Customers can book travel and learn more about Volaris' service, policies, procedures, as well as frequently asked questions, at http://www.southwest.com/cgi-bin/mexicoTab.
"This is an important first step to move our codeshare agreement forward. The ability to offer Customers the option to book Volaris flights on www.southwest.com will introduce Volaris' brand and breadth of service to the millions of visitors to our web site," said Southwest's Senior Vice President of Marketing and Revenue Management Dave Ridley. "Volaris has an impeccable reputation for being a highly efficient airline, focused on customer service and therefore, an ideal option for Southwest Airlines."
"Our international expansion will take place alongside one of the best carriers in this segment, Southwest Airlines. We are certain this alliance will lead us to growth in terms of passenger traffic, those traveling for business, pleasure or visiting family on both sides of the border," said Enrique Beltranena, Volaris CEO. "We are very proud to communicate that our first two destinations in the United States will be Los Angeles and Oakland. By 2013, we plan to reach some 12 different U.S. destinations."
About Southwest Airlines
After nearly 38 years of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience. Southwest recently updated its gate areas and improved its boarding procedure to make flying Southwest convenient and simple. And, best of all, Southwest Airlines is famous for No Hidden Fees! Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) currently serves 65 cities in 33 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide.
About Volaris
Volaris is a Mexican high-efficiency airline aimed at offering customers a unique travel experience - starting with the easy ticket purchasing process right through the On-Time Guarantee on all flights. With 21 Airbus A320 family aircraft, Volaris has the youngest and most modern fleet in Mexico reaching 21 airports and 35 routes across the country. From the start of operations in March 2006, the airline guarantees travelers comfort and reliability delivered by more than 1,500 employees making up the Volaris family and dedicated to strengthening the airline's commitment to excellent service and single-class treatment in a human way.
This news release contains forward-looking statements related to Southwest's plans, strategies, and expectations related to its codeshare alliance with Volaris. These forward-looking statements are based on Southwest's current intent, beliefs, and expectations and are not guarantees of future results. These statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by them. Factors include, among others, (i) the companies' ability to obtain any required governmental or other approvals, (ii) consumer interest in, and demand for, the combined offering; (iii) the impact of competitive offerings; and (iv) economic and related uncertainties that could impact the ability of the two companies to fully implement all of the initiatives currently contemplated by their alliance.
