DALLAS, Jan. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The membership of the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA) congratulates Southwest Airlines on the remarkable achievement of a successful bid for 54 slot pairs at Ronald Reagan International Airport (DCA). Southwest today announcedits winning auction bid at DCA, allowing 27 additional daily flights on weekdays. The additional slots will translate to an increase in Southwest's service at Reagan National from 17 daily departures to 44 daily departures.
"SWAPA pilots always welcome new destinations and increased flying opportunities, so this is very good news," said Captain Mark Richardson, SWAPA President. "Only once or twice over an entire career are large numbers of slots made available to reshape the marketplace. The last time this occurred was two decades ago when Eastern and Pan Am went out of business. Our leaders at Southwest Airlines showed determination and resolve to win these slots. We were pleased to be able to partner with the Company on this effort."
SWAPA would like to extend congratulations to Ron Ricks, Southwest's Executive Vice President & Chief Legal & Regulatory Officer and to the entire Southwest Airlines leadership team in Washington, D.C. SWAPA Governmental Affairs and Strategic Planning committees worked hand in hand with the Company to provide data analysis and letters of support from key Members of Congress.
"Ron welcomed SWAPA's efforts to assist with this difficult task, rallying all of the resources available to him and the results speak for themselves," Captain Richardson said. "It is this kind of can-do spirit that our pilots are pleased to support in order to help our Company grow."
Located in Dallas, Texas, the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA) is a non-profit employee organization representing the more than 6,700 pilots of Southwest Airlines. SWAPA works to provide a secure and rewarding career for Southwest pilots and their families through negotiating contracts, defending contractual rights and actively promoting professionalism and safety. For more information on the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association, visit www.swapa.org.
SOURCE Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association
