Last edited 12:26 p.m., March 11, 2013Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) officially launched its service at Branson Airport this weekend, bringing its red-bellied planes to the tourist destination.
Congressman Billy Long, R-Mo., was among those on hand as the Dallas-based company introduced its operations to the market March 9.
Southwest spokeswoman Michelle Agnew said four flights flew to and from Branson on opening day. She declined to disclose passenger figures, but said each flight was nearly full and could hold 137 to 143 passengers. She said the "seat availability" going into Branson Saturday was roughly 560.
“We’re excited to provide our southern Missouri customers access to a broad network of destinations, and just as important, allow better access to Branson for our existing customers across America," said Rick Pelc, Southwest Airlines station director, in a news release.
Branson Airport Executive Director Jeff Bourk said the first Southwest flight flew in March 9 from Houston, Texas, and departed to Orlando, Fla. He said the first flights in from Houston and Chicago were both full, noting the Southwest aircraft seats roughly 143.
"I think people are very excited about the arrival of Southwest," Bourk said, noting roughly 2,000 people attended the opening day ceremony to welcome Southwest to the community. "I think a lot of people will be using these flights."
Southwest's entrance to the market was spawned by its $1 billion
purchase of Orlando-based discount carrier AirTran Airways in May 2011. Southwest announced in January 2012 it would transition AirTran service to Southwest routes in Branson.
Coming off the winter season, Southwest is expanding service from one daily nonstop departure by AirTran to Atlanta International and a daily nonstop to Orlando International to three nonstop dailies to Dallas Love Field, Houston Hobby and Chicago Midway, and a weekly flight to Orlando International. Before flight cutbacks during the off-tourist season, Branson served five nonstop destinations on AirTran: Atlanta, Baltimore/Washington, D.C., Chicago, Houston and Orlando, Fla., according to
FlyBranson.com.
Agnew said flight bookings so far have been in line with Southwest's expecations for a new market, but she declined to disclose figures.
In Springfield Business Journal's article "
Struggling BKG welcomes Southwest Airlines," published March 11, Agnew said the company would remain committed to its plans in Branson, despite faltering financials since the airport opened in 2009.
In fourth-quarter 2012, the airport recorded $1.97 million in revenues against $3.6 million in operating expenses. For the year, Branson Airport lost nearly $7 million, not counting depreciation and interest expenses, with $6.8 million in revenues and $13.8 million in expenses. Since the airport opened, it has endured roughly $21 million in operating losses, according to municipal securities filings.
