HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) – Officials said Friday that Southwest Airlines will eventually offer service at Richmond International Airport (RIC).
The announcement came as the company revealed its plan to convert AirTran Airways operations service over to Southwest.
Richmond is one of 22 airports that will continue to offer AirTran flights and will eventually switch over to Southwest.
However, as part of the changes, AirTran flights will no longer be offered in six markets starting Aug. 12.
Additionally, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) will be the first airport where the airline will switch over service from AirTran to Southwest on Aug. 12.
The company said it would release a timeline for the other airports slated to make the switch once planning is completed.
“We are committed to continuing to serve these communities—at first via AirTran, and eventually as Southwest. We know there are Southwest Customers who want access to these cities, but have never before had the opportunity…,” said Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer and AirTran Airways President Bob Jordan in a news release.
Southwest acquired AirTran in May of 2011.
