A Southwest 737 lands at Cleveland in September 2011. Photo: Dave Reed - OPShots Contributor
Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly told investors Thursday the airline is “fully committed” to launching international service from Houston’s Hobby Airport by 2015 and that the airline envisions the Bayou City as the focal point of international operations in Texas.
“We see a significant opportunity to serve Houston with international flights out of Houston’s Hobby Airport,” Kelly said during a conference call with investors and reporters after the Dallas-based carrier reported first-quarter earnings. “We have a major campaign under way to obtain the necessary approvals to launch that service in 2015, which is what the Houston airport service would like.”
Southwest has asked the Houston Airport System for permission to construct a $100 million Customs facility and five-gate expansion at Hobby Airport so it can begin flying to various Latin American destinations that are served by AirTran Airways, which Southwest purchased last year.
via Southwest ‘fully committed’ to global flights from Hobby – Houston Chronicle.
