Missouri Governor, Jay Nixon, welcoming Southwest Airlines to Branson.
BRANSON, Mo., August 27, 2012 — Southwest Airlines was welcomed to Branson in typical Branson style. The “Pep Rally” themed event was lead off by a welcoming parade down the Branson Landing Promenade, featuring dignitaries, the Branson High School Marching Band, Color Guard and Cheerleaders, followed by a welcoming ceremony and entertainment by Branson entertainers at the Branson Landing Fountains.
Speakers at the ceremony included Steve Peet, Branson Airport, CEO; Peter and Jack Herschend, co-founders of Silver Dollar City; Tony Orlando; Johnny Morris, Founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops; Bob Montgomery, Vice President of Airport Affairs for Southwest Airlines, and Missouri Governor Jay Nixon. With a slight change to the title, the theme song for the event, based on the speeches and the crowd’s reaction to Southwest’s announcement of Branson service, could have been, “Can You Feel The LUV Tonight,” from “The Lion King.”
Earlier in the day Southwest Airlines, who, with 3200 flights per day, is the Nation’s “largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded,” had announced that Branson would become the “79th destination to its route map with service” scheduled to start on March 9, 2013. This initial service will begin with daily flights offering nonstop service to Dallas Love Field, Houston Hobby and Chicago Midway with Saturday-only service to Orlando. Southwest will assume all flying from AirTran Airways, its wholly owned subsidiary, with AirTran’s operations at Branson fully converting to Southwest Airlines.
“‘Southwest Airlines is proud to bring low fares, great Customer Service, and our red-bellied 737s to Branson,” said Bob Montgomery, Southwest Airlines’ Vice President of Airport Affairs. “We are looking forward to serving the community and offering more new destinations to Branson Customers.'”
Sharon Budnick, the Director of the Branson Travel Agency, a division of Branson Tourism Center (BTC), said that the Southwest announcement is wonderful news for Branson and provides yet another choice for those wanting to fly to Branson. She also points out that in celebration of the new service “Southwest announced a fare sale of $79* one-way between Branson and Dallas (Love Field), Chicago (Midway), or Houston (Hobby) as well as $99 to Orlando” for travel between March 9, 2013, and April 11, 2013 providing fares are booked by Sept. 6, 2012. Budnick said she would be happy to answer any questions on the new Southwest Service or the celebratory fare sale. She can be reached by calling the Branson Travel Agency at 1-800-785-2176 or through its website www.BransonTravelAgency.