Airline plans several new DEN routes for spring

Southwest Airlines’ spring schedule, which takes effect May 10, includes several new non-stop routes for its growing Denver operation, and fine-tuning frequencies in a number of markets nationwide. Overall, the schedule includes the elimination of 57 existing fights and the addition of 49 new ones. “Southwest is intent on strategically changing its flight schedule in 2008 to reflect demand and grow revenue – even adding seasonal flights when we can,” said CEO Gary Kelly. The biggest growth will be at Denver, where Southwest will start flying five times a day to Los Angeles International. Other new routes to be added at Denver include three daily roundtrips to San Jose and to St. Louis, two a day to Philadelphia, and one each to Raleigh-Durham and San Antonio. Other new routes coming on May 10 include one daily roundtrip between Austin-Ft. Lauderdale and Austin-Oakland; one between Ft. Lauderdale and Manchester, N.H.; one between Jacksonville and Las Vegas, and one between Nashville-Norfolk. Dozens of existing markets will see the addition or subtraction of one or two flights a day, but none will lose Southwest service.