Southwest, Volaris Move Toward Codeshare

Southwest Airlines will offer customers the ability to book flights to Mexico on Volaris via an online link to Volaris' booking portal on www.southwest.com. The two airlines previously announced their plans to eventually enter a codeshare agreement that will allow the carriers to offer a seamless travel experience to a wide array of destinations.

"This is an important first step to move our codeshare agreement forward. The ability to offer customers the option to book Volaris flights on www.southwest.com will introduce Volaris' brand and breadth of service to the millions of visitors to our website," said Southwest's Senior Vice President of Marketing and Revenue Management Dave Ridley.

"We are certain this alliance will lead us to growth in terms of passenger traffic, those traveling for business, pleasure or visiting family on both sides of the border," said Enrique Beltranena, Volaris CEO. "We are very proud to communicate that our first two destinations in the United States will be Los Angeles and Oakland. By 2013, we plan to reach some 12 different U.S. destinations."

While the airlines plan to announce codeshare flight schedules by early 2010, the availability of Volaris flights via the link on southwest.com is an important first step forward in the relationship. Southwest Airlines does not offer service to Mexico.

Visit www.southwest.com/cgi-bin/mexicoTab.