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Southwest Files Request to Serve 6 New International Destinations from Houston

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Southwest Airlines files applications to serve six new international destinations from Houston.

Southwest Airlines has officially filed applications with the U.S. Department of Transportation requesting approval to serve six destinations in Latin America with new, daily nonstop service from William P. Hobby Airport in Houston (HOU).

The international service would include four destinations in Mexico—Cancun, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta and San Jose del Cabo/Los Cabos — as well as flights to San Jose, Costa Rica, and Belize City, Belize, according to a news release. Southwest already holds government approval to fly to Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) in Oranjestad, Aruba, which begins service March 7, 2015.

The move pits Southwest against several other carriers already serving the Houston-Mexico City and Houston-Cabo San Lucas markets, including United Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, Inc., its sister airline, ExpressJet and Spirit Airlines, Inc. SkyWest also operates as United Express according to an article in the Dallas Morning News. Treaties with Mexico limit these destinations to three U.S. carriers.

However, Southwest noted in its application that, “In these markets, service by ExpressJet and SkyWest under the United Express brand means that two U.S. carrier designations are being used on behalf of one U.S. airline.” A United spokeswoman stated that the carrier would officially respond December 29.

International service will operate out of the new international terminal currently under construction and is expected to begin loading passengers in 2015. “Service to Mexico will be the cornerstone of our international operation at Hobby and the four cities we are announcing today provide exciting travel and business options,” stated Southwest Chairman, President and CEO Gary Kelly in the release. “Adding Belize to the Southwest network and growing our Costa Rica service continues our expansion to international destinations where our people and consumer-friendly policies can deliver as no other airline can.”

[Photo: Southwest Airlines]

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