Southwest to resume New Orleans flights

Southwest Airlines has revealed its new schedule for the initial resumption of flights to New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport.

Starting September 20, 2005, there will only be two daily roundtrip flights between New Orleans and Houston's Hobby Airport. This schedule will remain until January 9, 2006, after which the discount airline will adjust its flights according to the situation.

Flights from New Orleans will leave for Houston at 11.35am and 5.05pm, and arrive at 12.40pm and 6:10pm respectively. The return flights will depart Houston at 10.15am and 3.45pm and arrive in New Orleans at 11.15am and 4.45pm.

Colleen Barrett, Southwest's president, commented: "Since commercial air service to the city will be limited for some time, we decided to initially focus that service into Houston Hobby where Southwest has a significant presence with a wide range of destinations."

Southwest has more than 400 employees residing in the New Orleans area, many of whom work at the airport.

Prior to the hurricane, Southwest had 57 daily non-stop departures from New Orleans to 16 cities.