Southwest at LaGuardia

Southwest Airlines has acquired twelve take-off and landing slots (for six round-trip flights) at New York's LaGuardia Airport.

The slots became vacant when they were handed back by American Airlines as part of its merger with US Airways. Southwest plans to begin its new service at LGA in May 2014.

In addition, Southwest gained permanent control of ten slots (for five round-trip flights) that it currently operates under a lease from American.

"We are pleased the US Department of Justice approved our agreement with American Airlines to acquire these slots at LaGuardia," said Bob Jordan, Southwest's Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. "This is terrific news for low-fare Customers who want greater access to New York City."

Southwest and its subsidiary AirTran Airways currently operate 27 daily round-trip flights to and from LGA to eight nonstop destinations. The acquired slots will allow the airlines to add six daily round-trips.

"We also look forward to bidding on the slots at Washington's Reagan National Airport (DCA) that American also is required to divest," Mr Jordan added. "That will be conducted as a separate process, and was not a part of this slot bid."  www.southwest.com

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