Courtesy of: Aruba Daily
The Employees of Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) launched an international future for America’s largest airline* by inaugurating service to the Reina Beatrix Aruba International Airport from two of its US gateway cities. To commemorate the beginning of a historic chapter for the carrier, Southwest Vacations is offering up to $200 off for travel packages booked July 2 through July 14, 2014, for travel July 4 through Jan. 4, 2015 (blackout dates apply, see detailed terms and conditions below.) The bundled travel packages featuring combinations of air, hotel, car, and activities can be booked now at southwestvacations.com.
Southwest Airlines’ first international departure, Flight 1804 from Baltimore/Washington International Airport to Oranjestad, Aruba, departed on time at 8:30am EDT, closely followed by Southwest flight 906 to Montego Bay, Jamaica, where Southwest Airlines’ first-ever scheduled international arrival was planned for just after 11am EST. A midday flight from Baltimore/Washington to Nassau/Paradise Island also brings Southwest Airlines’ legendary Customer Service to The Bahamas.
“Thousands of our Employees have a hand in launching today’s flights which begin to bring our convenient and affordable way of air travel to the world, and broaden the horizon for more than 100 million Customers who fly with us every year,” said Teresa Laraba, Southwest’s Senior Vice President of Customers, during a Caribbean-themed celebration and news conference near the departure gates at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. “We’ve grown through four decades of profitable service to carry more US air travelers every day than any other airline and this next chapter plants a flag for Bags Fly Free® and No Change Fees in foreign sands.”
“As Aruba continues to attract more visitors from Baltimore/Washington, Atlanta, and Orlando each year, we’re thrilled to partner with Southwest Airlines on nonstop flight options,” said Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes, Aruba Tourism Authority CEO. “Vacations begin the moment our guests step onto their planes, so these convenient flights will make our visitors smile before they even arrive on our one happy island.”
“We’re ecstatic to welcome Southwest Airlines to the island. Our happy destination matches perfectly with Southwest Airlines,” said Peter Steinmetz, Aruba Airport Authority CEO. “Being one of the first international destinations to welcome Southwest Airlines is deserving of celebration.”
Customers on the carrier’s inaugural international flights from Baltimore/Washington, Atlanta, and Orlando celebrated alongside Employees with commemorative beach balls, snorkels and masks. Customers arriving in Aruba received commemorative flip flops and Frisbees from the Aruba Airport Authority and Aruba Tourism Authority.
A local celebration took place at Aruba’s Reina Beatrix Airport today, where Minister of Tourism Otmar Oduber, CEO of the Aruba Tourism Authority Ronella Tjin-Asjoe, and CEO of the Aruba Airport Authority Peter Steinmetz, welcomed Southwest Airlines SVP of Customers Teresa Laraba, Managing Director of Customer Strategy and Development Ryan Green, and the Southwest Flight Crew as Flight 1804 arrived to a celebratory water arch at the terminal.
At the Company’s corporate headquarters in Dallas, Employees staffed a command center in the pre-dawn hours to monitor operational performance and new technology systems developed in partnership with Amadeus. Its Altéa suite of products is powering Southwest’s reservations, inventory, and departure control functions for international flying.
Southwest Airlines previously announced details to convert by the end of this year all international service offered by wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways, including flights to Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
