Southwest Buys Takeoff Slots at La Guardia

The New York Times

December 5, 2013
Southwest Buys Takeoff Slots at La Guardia
By JAD MOUAWAD
Southwest Airlines said it had agreed to buy 12 takeoff and landing slots at New York’s La Guardia Airport from American Airlines as part of the merger settlement reached between American Airlines, US Airways and the Justice Department.
In addition, Southwest said it had also gained permanent control of 10 takeoff and landing slots that it was leasing from American Airlines at La Guardia, expanding its foothold in one of the nation’s busiest travel markets. Details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Southwest said it would begin the new service from the airport in May. Together, Southwest and its subsidiary AirTran operate 27 daily round-trip flights between La Guardia and eight destinations. The newly acquired slots will add six daily round-trip flights, Southwest said.
As part of the deal struck last month with the Justice Department to clear their merger, American and US Airways agreed to sell 104 takeoff and landing slots at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington and 34 slots at La Guardia to low-cost carriers. Southwest said it would also bid for slots at Reagan National.
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