Press Release
A delegation representing the City of Pensacola and Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport met with Southwest Airlines executives today (Friday, Nov. 13) in Dallas.
“We had a very productive meeting with top Southwest executives,” said Pensacola Mayor Mike Wiggins. “Everyone was forthright and all the participants left the meeting with a sense the partnership between Southwest and the Pensacola region had taken a step
forward.”
Wiggins said Southwest officials assured them the company retains a “strong interest” in bringing air service to Pensacola and the Gulf Coast region.
“We did not leave with any definitive timeline, nor did we expect to,” he said. “But we left with an understanding that even though Southwest recently announced service to the Panama City area, their interest in Pensacola and our region is still very strong.”
Wiggins characterized the discussions as “positive” and said it is also clear that other factors will affect the timing of any future decisions.
“Everyone knows economic times are tough and the situation changes daily in the airline industry,” he said. “I believe both sides trust this relationship. Together we will work on a plan that will continue and will stand the test of time. For our part, we will do everything we can to keep moving forward with the ongoing work of bringing Southwest to Pensacola.”
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Sounds like business 101. Do not burn the bridges behind you nor snub future customers in any way shape or form.
Does anyone really think Southwest is going to tell anyone that it is over, give it up, we are not going to come to Pensacola until hell freezes over???
The delegation was of local politicians, they should now the talk by now.
Why did we want Southwest again? If we wanted to I am sure we could get the Chamber or some other EDC to work with the hotels, restraunts, and car rental companies to get some good perks for the area. Then we simply contact Delta and AirTran and have them put together packages to get more people into the area. The problem is this area just wants someone else to do it for them. We could do this, and yes it would bring money into the area. Folks say we do not have options for air travel, but we do… Unless you were going to Dallas, Tampa, or New Orleans, Southwest would have had at least one connection for your flight anyway departing Pensacola. Over the last 5 years and 500,000 plus miles flying out of this area, my average round trip ticket has been less then $300.00 on Delta. Compare that to Southwest, and I could have saved about 40 bucks per ticket, or a savings of about $800.00 per year, yes thats alot, but there are not that many people who fly 20 times a year!
Its dead trust me.