Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 8:12 AM - For Immediate Release
Southwest launches new nonstop services to Kona, Hawaii and Palm Springs
The Sacramento County Department of Airports is excited to share Southwest Airlines’ announcement today for plans to launch nonstop service between SMF and both Kona, Hawaii and Palm Springs.
“Southwest’s planned service to Kona, Hawaii and Palm Springs, California restores nonstop service to two popular sun destinations,” said Cindy Nichol, Director of Airports, Sacramento County Airport System. “But with greater seat capacity and flight frequency versus 2019 levels.”
Nonstop service to Kona represents Southwest’s third daily flight to Hawaii, in addition to Honolulu and Maui and underscores Southwest’s commitment to having a major presence in the Sacramento – Hawaii market.
“We’re gratefully celebrating two decades as California’s largest air carrier, having flown more people to, from, and within the Golden State than any other carrier for 20 years. Our work to give more Californians access to the capital region also brings a new nonstop route for local travelers in Sacramento to access all that the High Desert has to offer,” said Andrew Watterson, Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer. “Flying between Sacramento and Kona also acknowledges a strong connection with the Island of Hawaii that allows more access between the Aloha State and the Central Valley with additional time-saving service coupled with our all-in value and Hospitality.”
Palm Springs offers Sacramento passengers a wide variety of winter/spring outdoor activities, including championship golf courses and tournaments, tennis and the BNP Paribas Open (March) as well as the Coachella Music Festival (April).
“The addition of Kona and Palm Springs brings the number of nonstop cities served to 41 at SMF,” said Mark Haneke, Manager of Air Service Development, Marketing and Communications at SMF. “These two popular destinations offer Sacramento passengers with even greater choice in upcoming winter vacation planning.”
Southwest’s twice-daily service between Sacramento and Palm Springs begins Oct. 7, 2021. Service between Sacramento and Kona begins Sunday, Dec. 18, 2021.
Flight schedules are loaded today through Jan. 5, 2022 and these new flights are available for purchase at www.southwest.com.
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About Southwest Airlines - In its 50th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co. continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 56,000 Employees to a Customer base that topped 130 million Passengers in 2019. Southwest has a robust network of point-to-point service with a strong presence across top leisure and business markets. In peak travel seasons during 2019, Southwest operated more than 4,000 weekday departures among a network of 101 destinations in the United States and 10 additional countries. Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at www.southwest.com or by phone at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA®.
The Sacramento County Department of Airports is responsible for planning, developing, operating and maintaining the county’s four airports: Sacramento International Airport, Executive Airport, Mather Airport and Franklin Field. Sacramento International Airport offers more than 155 daily nonstop flights on 12 domestic and international carriers to 36 destinations. The regional economic impact of the Sacramento County Department of Airports is more than $4 billion annually. For more information, visit sacramento.aero.