Southwest Airlines grows at Hobby

Southwest Airlines will be operating out of ECP for the first time in 2010, launching nonstop service between Panama City, FL and four cities, including Houston, Nashville, Baltimore and Orlando.

In making their announcement, airline officials cited the enthusiasm shown by the local community located in Florida's panhandle region.

"We have been eyeing this region for a long time," said Southwest Airlines vice president of properties Bob Montgomery. "And we've been extremely impressed by the amount of passion the community has put behind bringing Southwest Airlines to their hometown."

The arrival of Southwest Airlines to Panama City is set to coincide with the arrival of a brand new airport facility in the area, the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, which is set to open just five days prior to the launch of Southwest service.

As for the Houston - Southwest connection, it's well established and has almost four decades worth of history behind it.

Houston was one of the three original cities serviced by Southwest when the airline was first created back in 1971.

"We are very pleased that Southwest Airlines is adding Panama City to the non-stop destinations served from Hobby Airport," says Rob Wigington, deputy director of marketing, communications and community affairs. "This new service brings the total number of nonstop destinations travelers can enjoy from Hobby Airport to 33."

And the recent 2010 schedule announcement from Southwest confirmed that the airlines' partnership with Houston is as strong as it's ever been.

In addition to the two daily frequencies to Panama City, the HOU operation also gained one frequency to Orlando (bringing the daily total to 5) and one daily frequency to St. Louis (bringing the daily total to 4).