SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) has agreed to provide air service at Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) beginning Nov. 14.
Southwest will begin offering three flights a day between Syracuse and Baltimore-Washington International Airport. From there, Southwest passengers can connect directly to 68 other cities. Weekly flights directly to Orlando will also be available, which “introduces even more competition on that route,” per an announcement about the service from CenterState CEO.
The flights to Orlando will start Nov. 20, the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) said in its own release.
“We are beyond thrilled to welcome Southwest Airlines as they launch their first ever daily service here at SYR,” Jason Terreri, executive director of Syracuse Hancock International Airport, said. “This is such a win for our community [which has] been telling us for years that they want Southwest at SYR. With this new nonstop service, our community will have access to more than 40 destinations within the Southwest network. This announcement is the culmination of a multi-year effort by the airport and the Central New York Community to bring some ‘LUV’ to the region and I look forward to our partnership.”
“One of the things that struck me in our conversations with Southwest, and something we can all take pride in, is the growth potential they see in this market,” Robert Simpson, president and CEO of CenterState CEO said in his “CEO Focus” email to members. “Originally, Syracuse was to be an additional feed into their network or an ‘origin’ market. However, after spending some time here, they saw all this region has to offer, including the Adirondacks, wine country, world-class fishing and so much more. It was then they recognized Syracuse as a ‘destination’ point on the Southwest map.”
Nonstop flights to additional cities could be announced in 2022, Simpson added.
The move would “expand and enhance” its presence in upstate New York, the office of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said Thursday. The Democrat in late May had spoken with Gary Kelly, CEO of Southwest Airlines, to pitch Hancock as a venue where Southwest should offer service, per his office.
Southwest Airlines — described as the world’s largest low-cost carrier — is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.