Southwest Airlines Announces New Nonstop Service at OAK for Spring 2009

-- Three Flights Added to Albuquerque, Kansas City and Nashville --

Southwest Airlines this week announced additional nonstop service between the San Francisco Bay Area's Oakland International Airport (OAK) and the cities of Albuquerque, Kansas City and Nashville, beginning May 9, 2009.

This important added service reflects the continued demand for air travel from the East Bay airport where Southwest Airlines has its largest Bay Area operation. Southwest will adjust its spring 2009 flight schedule at OAK as follows:

"We are pleased that Oakland International continues to be a home for one of Southwest Airlines' largest operations and that customer demand has resulted in the carrier once again adding frequencies and restoring nonstop service in spring 2009," said Steve Grossman, director of aviation for the Port of Oakland, which owns and operates OAK. "We continue to remain committed to keeping our operating costs low, and reliability and customer service levels high, so that airlines, such as Southwest, can continue to thrive."

About Southwest Airlines and Oakland International Airport

Southwest Airlines is OAK's largest carrier, serving 66 percent of the 12.2 million passengers who traveled through OAK over the past 12 months (ending Oct. 31, 2008). Oakland is Southwest's busiest airport in California, and seventh busiest systemwide, in terms of number of flights. Southwest will now offer 120 daily nonstop flights to 21 cities from OAK. Southwest inaugurated service at OAK in May 1989. Please visit www.southwest.com.

About the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport

The Port of Oakland oversees Oakland International Airport, the Oakland seaport and 20 miles of waterfront, from the airport to Jack London Square in downtown Oakland. OAK is the second largest San Francisco Bay Area airport, offering 161 daily nonstop flights, and is the area's most reliable airport with 92 percent of all passenger flights on-time according to U.S. D.O.T. statistics for Sept. 2008. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland. Please visit www.portofoakland.com and www.oaklandairport.com.

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