Southwest Expands NYC-Area Service

Southwest Airlines is adding routes from Newark's Liberty International Airport, a major move in its effort to lure more business travelers. It also flies out of LaGuardia and Long Island's MacArthur airports.

Current Newark service includes six flights to Chicago and two to St. Louis. In June, the carrier will add 10 more daily flights, to Baltimore, Orlando and elsewhere. Southwest will also be adding up to 19 flights daily from LaGuardia when its acquisition of AirTran wins federal approval.

Southwest has been trying to attract more business travelers by expanding service from major airline hub cities, including Boston, Denver and St. Louis.

Business travelers not only fly more frequently but tend to pay more, as they are more likely to make last-minute reservations and buy upgraded boarding priority and other extras.

The increased Southwest routes out of the New York City area should be a boon for Big Apple fliers, even those who travel on other airlines. Studies have consistently found that when Southwest adds a route, other airlines flying that route reduce their fares to remain competitive.

AirTran deal

Shareholders of AirTran Holdings, Inc., the parent company of AirTran Airways (AirTran), overwhelmingly approved the proposed acquisition of AirTran by Southwest Airlines last week. More than 98.6 percent of votes cast and 77.5 percent of shares outstanding were voted in favor of the acquisition.

The transaction remains under review by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and is subject to certain other regulatory clearances. Southwest and AirTran continue to operate as two independent companies pending those clearances. Southwest anticipates the transaction to close in the second quarter of this year.