[urban_encounter]

Southwest cuts south state flights
Last Updated 5:53 am PST Thursday, January 10, 2008
Story appeared in BUSINESS section, Page D3



Southwest Airlines will drop four round-trip flights in May from Sacramento International Airport to Southern California as the Dallas-based discount carrier looks to trim costs.

The cutback will affect service to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, Los Angeles, Ontario and San Diego International airports, officials announced Wednesday. Currently, Southwest books 47 flights to the south state from Sacramento's Terminal A.

"Airlines routinely make adjustments to their schedules. We still have a great assortment of flights," said airport spokeswoman Gina Swankie. "(Schedules) wax and wane depending on a number of factors."

Oakland and San Jose will also lose flights to Southern California. In all, 40 round-trip flights nationwide will be eliminated from Southwest's flight schedule as of May 10.

Southwest will add 49 round-trip flights in what it calls "key growth markets." That will mean more flights in and out of Philadelphia International Airport and Denver, Southwest's fastest-growing market and one of its newest.

"Southwest Airlines is concerned about slowing economic growth, and we want our flight schedule to be built around flights that are in high demand," said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines' chief executive officer in a prepared statement.