DOT approves four more beyond-perimeter routes to DCA – Alaska, Southwest, Virgin America and JetBlue get the nod

by: Siva Vayali - May 14th, 2012   Filed under: Airlines, Airports 1 Comment

The US Department of Transportation today selected four more beyond-perimeter routes to Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA). US DOT selected applications from Alaska Airlines (AS) to serve Portland, OR (PDX); Southwest Airlines (WN) to serve Austin (AUS); Virgin America (VX) to serve San Francisco (SFO) and JetBlue (B6) to serve San Juan, PR (SJU).

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The FAA Reauthorization Bill allows eight slot pairs for beyond-perimeter destinations. The network carriers (United, Delta, American and US Airways) were allowed to convert one of their slot-pairs to operate a beyond-perimeter destination. Four new slot-pairs were awarded to carriers that have minimal service at the airport. Alaska is the biggest beneficiary. It already serves to Seattle and Los Angeles from DCA. With Portland, OR added to its kitty, it would operate daily services from Reagan to three of the top five West Coast cities.

I think, Southwest is playing it safe by selecting Austin. It could have applied for Denver, Las Vegas or Phoenix, but the chances of getting approval from DOT are remote.

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Southwest announces Atlanta flights

by: Siva Vayali - August 30th, 2011   Filed under: Airlines, Airports Add Comment

Southwest has announced its initial schedule of fifteen daily departures from Atlanta. As expected, Southwest’s hubs in Baltimore/Washington (BWI), Chicago Midway (MDW) and Houston Hobby (HOU) will get the first set of flights. Austin (AUS) and Denver (DEN) are the other two airports to get flights from Atlanta. Fare will start from $79 to $99 each way. The services start from February 12, 2011. This is the first round of flights announced by Southwest for its entry into Atlanta. I guess, Dallas Love Field (DAL) was not included because of the Wright Amendment restrictions (Love Field will get a one stop, single plane service from Atlanta).

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AirTran already flies from Atlanta to all these airports except Austin. So, expect some good competition at Atlanta once Southwest and AirTran fully combine their routes. It is good news for customers flying to Atlanta, the airport dominated by Delta. It will be interesting to see what would be the next round of expansion cities from Atlanta. And Delta’s response too!

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