FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(NEW ORLEANS, LA) - The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is pleased to announce that Southwest Airlines®, the major low cost carrier in New Orleans, will fly new scheduled nonstop service to Oakland, California (OAK) aboard their 143 seat Boeing 737-700 aircraft. The daily nonstop service will begin on Sunday, June 7, 2015 with the following schedule: Monday through Friday and Sunday, flights will depart New Orleans at 3:20 p.m. CST and arrive in Oakland at 5:50 p.m. PST. It will depart Oakland during this time period at 11:45 a.m. PST and arrive in New Orleans at 5:50 p.m. CST. On Saturdays, the flight will depart New Orleans at 4:55 p.m. CST and arrive in Oakland at 7:25 p.m. PST. The aircraft will depart Oakland on Saturdays at 3:30 p.m. PST and arrive in New Orleans at 9:35 p.m. CST. 


"We are delighted that Southwest is beginning scheduled nonstop service to another popular California destination like Oakland," said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. "With the addition of this destination, we have more non-stop flights now than ever."

"Southwest is pleased to introduce this new nonstop market to our New Orleans Customers," said Mark Shaw, Southwest Airlines Vice President - General Counsel & Corporate Security. "It's important to offer the service that our Customers ask for, and to continue to evaluate additional opportunities. We believe our new Oakland flights will be a great service addition for the New Orleans market."

"Oakland is an important addition to our esteemed list of nonstop destinations," said New Orleans Aviation Board Chairwoman Cheryl Teamer. "Better connectivity with the rest of the world is one of the Board's top priorities."

"I am excited about the continuous addition of service by airlines in New Orleans as it will add to the economic development in New Orleans," stated New Orleans Councilman Jared Brossett, Chair of the Transportation and Aviation Committee.

Iftikhar Ahmad, Director of Aviation said, "Southwest Airlines is a valuable partner providing over 40% of our airline service to New Orleans and our region. With our existing non-stop to San Francisco, this service will add to our reach into the Bay area."

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