Southwest Airlines Adds Nonstop Service to Oakland and Boston from Port Columbus International Airport
For Immediate Release
February 19, 2015
Contact:
Tyneisha Harden
Mayor’s Office, 614-645-2425
New flights
boost connectivity to important business and technology centers
COLUMBUS – Business travelers in Columbus received great
news today when Southwest Airlines announced new nonstop service to the San
Francisco Bay Area through Oakland and new nonstop service to Boston to begin
in August 2015. The direct flights strengthen Columbus’ connectivity to two
vital business and venture capital markets, boosting economic development
efforts on each coast.
“Today’s announcement, in addition to the recent
announcements of Washington National and Dallas Love Field service, by our
longtime partner Southwest Airlines will help make Columbus and our entire
region more competitive,” said Mayor Michael B. Coleman. “Columbus continues to
emerge as a technology hub and is increasing its opportunities for economic
growth.”
Franklin County Commissioner Paula Brooks said, “This is
a strategic step forward in our efforts to grow central Ohio’s economy, and
opportunities for all individuals. This connects our emerging technology sector
at the right time for future generations in Franklin County and the entire
Columbus Region.”
New service is the centerpiece of the efforts of the Jobs
Expansion and Transportation (JET) Task Force, created by Mayor Coleman last
year. Chaired by Daniel Rosenthal, President of Milestone Aviation, the Task
Force posted its preliminary report to the community earlier this week and is
positioned to discuss and adopt the report at its meeting on February 25.
The preliminary report recommends the community compete
for and invest in new direct service in key markets like the San Francisco Bay
Area.
Nonstop service to the Bay Area was previously
unavailable at Port Columbus International Airport. Guided by the air service
efforts of the JET Task Force, Columbus 2020 has negotiated a performance-based
contract with Southwest Airlines to begin nonstop service to Oakland. The
contract will be supported by a community partnership between Columbus 2020,
the City of Columbus and Franklin County as part of our region’s economic
development strategy.
“Port Columbus is an important economic engine and this
new service will create significant economic activity for our region,” said
Andrew Ginther, President of Columbus City Council.
The JET report shared that industry experts estimate a
new daily air service route to the West Coast could generate $20 million in
economic impact for the Columbus Region.
Daniel Rosenthal, JET Task Force Chair, said, “I am
ecstatic that our community banded together to attract this critical new air
service to the Bay Area, and I commend Southwest for doubling down on Columbus.
The JET Task Force found that cities with direct air service to the Bay Area
are exposed to $110 million in venture capital funding per year versus $11
million for cities without direct service. I believe that flights like this one
are critical investments to ensure and enhance our community’s future.”
“Our region has the fastest growing economy in Ohio, and
for many, Port Columbus serves as a gateway to the entire state,” said Alex R.
Fischer, president and CEO, Columbus Partnership, and chairman, Columbus 2020
Board of Directors. “The Columbus Region’s Fortune 1000 companies, growing
technology and design firms, and entrepreneurs are excited by this news. Ohio
State’s large alumni network and Battelle researchers will also enjoy greater
connectivity to these important markets.”
In this partnership with Columbus 2020 for Oakland
service, the City is prepared to invest up to $1.2 million and the County will
invest up to $500,000 in a reserve fund as part of a performance based revenue
guarantee agreement.
Partners will work with local companies, institutions,
travel agents, and Experience Columbus to promote use of the new route.
No public reserve funds will be used as long as market support for the route
meets the agreement’s performance standards.
With the new service to Oakland and Boston, Port Columbus
International Airport offers nearly 150 nonstop flights each day to more than
34 destinations.
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