Aruba Airport Authority welcomes Southwest Airlines on their inaugural flight to Aruba With 15 weekly flights from 3 destinations

Oranjestad, Aruba - July 1, 2014: The company Southwest Airlines launched regular flights to the International Airport Reina Beatrix Aruba, departing from American cities, Baltimore, Atlanta and Orlando. "With the onset of Southwest Airlines we foresee an increase of over 40% on flights that were carried before by Air Tran," proclaims Peter Steinmetz, CEO of Aruba Airport Authority at the arrival of the inaugural flight on Tuesday afternoon .

With the arrival of the first flight of Southwest Airlines it emphasizes a tour of a very long road of negotiations and preparations on behalf of Aruba Airport Authority, where we follow closely the merger between Southwest and Air Tran. Since the merger of the two companies, it became obvious that Southwest Airlines would take the international flights over of Air Tran.

"We saw this as a great opportunity and took the reins in our hands to propose flights to Aruba. Not only have we managed to keep these flights, but increased the flights as well, with more connection options that attracts more passengers to other destinations, "emphasizes Peter Steinmetz

I am convinced that Southwest Airlines certainly  will attract more tourists to our island and also give the local community or passengers departing from Aruba more options to make connections.  We cannot rule out the fact  that Southwest Airlines is the largest domestic  airline in the United States, with many daily flights to different destinations.

Since the merger of Southwest Airlines and Air Tran, the two airlines have expanded their horizon together with more than 100 million passengers. Southwest Airlines grew profitably for four decades. They carry more passengers each day than any other U.S. airline. And now they began with their next chapter; Bags Fly for Free and No Ticket Fees change, characteristic points of the airline.  

Customers on the carrier’s inaugural international flights from Baltimore / Washington, Atlanta and Orlando celebrated alongside employees, with commemorative beach balls, snorkels and masks.

Passengers arriving in to Aruba, received commemorative Frisbees and flip flops as token of appreciation from Aruba Airport Authority and the Aruba Tourism Authority.

A Local and original celebration took place at Queen Beatrix Airport  were words  of Bon Bini  and a nice welcome speech was given by the CEO  of Aruba Airport Authority, Peter Steinmetz. "We are convinced that Southwest Airlines will give us a better entry into the," Midwest " region”.

"We wish  Southwest Airlines much success with the flights to Aruba. We are really convinced that demand will continue to grow and that we can soon be partying again celebrating the additional flights to our island. "Peter Steinmetz completes his speech to the guests present at the conclusion of the first international flight from Southwest Airlines, and precisely in Aruba!