HOLLISTER, Mo. -- Southwest Airlines and its wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways said Tuesday that Southwest Airlines will start flying in and out of Branson Airport in 2013.
Branson Airport and Southwest Airlines officials amended their original agreement with AirTran Airways and signed a multi-year agreement with Southwest Airlines. Most likely in the first half of 2013, Branson Airport passengers will see the transition of AirTran Airways to Southwest Airlines. The airline’s fares and flights aren’t set.
“We are thrilled with the news that we will have Southwest Airlines’ red-bellied aircraft touching down in Branson,” said Jeff Bourk, executive director of Branson Airport. “Southwest Airlines’ presence in this region will do enormous things for the economic development of the entire southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas area.”
“We’re looking forward to extending the Southwest Airlines route map to Branson next year,” said Pete Houghton, Southwest Airlines senior director of Airport Affairs. “We look forward to announcing further details soon.”
