Southwest Adds New Cancun Connections

US low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines has confirmed that it has received approval from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for AirTran Airways to launch flights to Canacun International Airport from both Denver International and Austin-Bergstrom International; the latter a new destination for the carrier.

The Denver Cancan route will be served on a daily schedule between April 16, 2012 and July 7, 2012, reducing to four times weekly between July 8, 2012 and August 12, 2012 and then to a twice weekly weekend only offering from August 13, 2012 until September 28, 2012. The Austin – Cancun route will be flown on a four times weekly basis from May 25, 2012 until August 31, 2012 when it will be reduced to a three times weekly schedule until the end of September.

"We are excited to offer more domestic markets new opportunities to travel to Mexico," said Bob Jordan, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Southwest Airlines and President, AirTran Airways. "The additional service is one way Customers are already realising the benefits of the Southwest and AirTran acquisition."

In addition to the new international services, AirTran will also operate new domestic flights between Houston Hobby and San Antonio and between Houston Hobby and Austin to support its international offering. The new link between Houston and San Antonio begins May 24, 2012, and the new service between Houston and Austin begins May 25, 2012 and both routes are planned to operate through to the end of the carrier’s current available schedule on September 28, 2012. AirTran has already announced the launch of flights between San Antonio and Cancun from May 24, 2012 and between San Antonio and Mexico City. Additionally, beginning June 3, 2012, AirTran will initiate service between Orange County in California and Cabo San Lucas/San Jose del Cabo and between Orange County and Mexico City.