Southwest Airlines Announces Plans to Resume Limited Operations to and From Houston Hobby Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 16

DALLAS, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwest Airlines plans to operate a limited schedule to and from Houston Hobby Airport on Tuesday, Sept. 16 and Wednesday, Sept 17. The airline suspended its Houston Hobby operation on Friday, Sept. 12, and plans to remain closed through the close of business Monday, Sept. 15 due to the impact of Hurricane Ike. Since the storm's passing, the airline continues to focus its attention on ensuring the safety of its Houston Employees and Customers and on assessing the condition of its airport facilities. The airline's ultimate plans to resume a full schedule in Houston will depend upon the status of airport security personnel and facilities, as well as clear access to the airport and passenger services in the wake of the storm. As a reminder to those Customers planning to travel to or from the area, the Houston Airport System recently announced the curfew in effect for the City of Houston does not apply to Customers or Employees driving or being driven to and from Houston Hobby Airport. Southwest also continues to operate a limited schedule at Corpus Christi International Airport and Valley International Airport in Harlingen. Please visit http://www.southwest.com for specific flight offerings to and from these airports.

Southwest still encourages travelers to contact Southwest Reservations at (800) 435-9792 or look for updated travel advisories at http://www.southwest.com before checking in online for a flight or proceeding to the airport. Customers can also copy and paste the following link into a web browser for direct access to Southwest's travel advisory page: http://www.southwest.com/content/travel_center/travel_advisory_0040.html?ref= wthr.

Southwest continues to offer alternative options for those Customers whose travel plans were disrupted by the storm. Southwest Customers holding reservations for travel to and from Austin, Dallas Love Field, or San Antonio from Noon Central Time on Wednesday, Sept. 10, through the close of business Monday, Sept. 15 may change their travel plans and rebook in their original class of service or travel standby (within 14 days of their original date of travel between the original city-pairs and in accordance with our accommodation procedures) without paying any additional charge. Southwest has extended the dates for Customers holding reservations to or from Corpus Christi, Harlingen, or Houston Hobby through Wednesday, Sept. 17.

Customers holding reservations for a flight that is cancelled to and from Corpus Christi, Dallas Love, Harlingen, or Houston Hobby may request a refund for any unused ticket/travel itinerary.

Southwest Airlines is doing its best to take care of Customers' air travel needs and to keep Customers and Employees safe in the wake of the storm. The airline invites Customers to visit southwest.com to receive the latest information regarding a flight. Southwest also encourages Ticketless Travel Customers to visit the Travel Center on southwest.com to cancel, change, and/or rebook their flight reservations. All ticketed Customers may contact Reservations (1-800-435-9792) for additional assistance. For specific airport information including number of daily departures and number of Employees, please visit http://www.swamedia.com.