Winter Time and Our Spirits Are Flying; DFW International Airport Sends Inaugural Spirit Airlines Flight Off Today With Caribbean Styletitle
Spirit Airlines Becomes DFWs Sixth Low Cost Carrier, With Service to Fort
Lauderdale and Beyond
DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Texas, Jan. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The rhythmic
sounds of Caribbean music streamed through DFW International Airport this
morning as passengers boarded the inaugural Spirit Airlines non-stop flight
from DFW to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Passengers boarded the 6:05 a.m.
departure with an extra bounce in their step as they listened to Watussi, a
Caribbean trio, and were welcomed by dignitaries and executives.
"We are happy to have Spirit at DFW International Airport," said Jeff
Fegan, CEO of DFW International Airport. "Spirit adds to an already impressive
grouping of airlines to offer a great service at an affordable price. With
Spirits low fares to Fort Lauderdale and many points across the Caribbean,
DFW travelers will have trouble deciding which great destination to choose for
their next vacation."
Spirit is now DFWs sixth low cost carrier, joining AirTran, ATA, US
Airways/America West, Frontier, and Sun Country. Fort Lauderdale will become
the thirteenth nonstop city offered by DFW low cost carriers. In addition to
the nonstop cities, DFWs low cost carriers can take North Texas travelers to
over 150 domestic cities with just one connection.
"Over 80 percent of North Texas travelers can use a low cost carrier to
reach their destination," said Joe Lopano, executive vice president of
marketing and terminal management at DFW. "Our low cost carriers have seen 12
percent growth over the last year. At the start of 2006 more than 3 million
passengers now enjoy low cost service out of DFW on an annual basis."
Spirit will offer service to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International
Airport with connecting service to some of North Texas travelers favorite
destinations including Nassau and San Salvador (Bahamas), San Juan (Puerto
Rico), Santo Domingo and Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), as well as Montego
Bay and Kingston (Jamaica), Cancun (Mexico), Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands),
St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands), Orlando, Providenciales and Grand Turk
(Turks and Caicos).
"Our low fare service at DFW continues to expand with more options and
lower prices for North Texans," says Jeff Wentworth, chairman of the DFW
International Airport," One of the top priorities for our board and staff is
to give the North Texas region a wide range of airlines and destinations.
Spirit is a great addition to the DFW family and we will continue to seek new
and expanded service from other low cost carriers."
Spirit Airlines, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was founded in 1990
and is the largest privately held airline in the nation. Spirit now serves 28
destinations in the United States and Caribbean and with 125 daily departures.
Spirit is the leading low cost carrier to the Caribbean and Latin America and
will have more than 20 percent of its schedule operating to the region this
winter.
"I am delighted to be here to welcome in a new era of low fare service to
South Florida and the Caribbean from DFW," said Marc Cavaliere, vice president
of sales and distribution for Spirit Airlines. "Spirit, the brand of the
future, is pleased to bring our low fares and quality service to the North
Texas community and serve DFW. We offer new airplanes, low fares and terrific
tropical destinations. Were thrilled to have DFW as the newest addition to
our route map."
Spirit will begin operations with one gate in DFWs Terminal E. It will
receive more than $250,000 in support from DFW, which announced an
unprecedented incentive package in January 2005 to attract new low fare
service to the Airport and fill gates vacated by Delta Air Lines. Spirit will
assign a brand new A319 to the DFW route.
"In a competitive marketplace, our incentive package has proven to be a
differentiating factor for Spirit," said Lopano. "I am happy to welcome
Spirit Airlines and look forward to seeing even more of their beautiful new
jets taxiing in every day as their new service takes hold and captures the
imagination of North Texas travelers."
About Spirit Airlines
Fort Lauderdale-based Spirit Airlines is the best-capitalized, low fare
carrier to the Caribbean with hubs in Detroit and in Fort Lauderdale and
service to 28 cities in the United States, Bahamas, and the Caribbean.
In addition to comfortable Coach class service, Spirit offers Spirit Plus
business class with 2-by-2 leather seats with an extra 6 inches of legroom vs
coach in the new Airbus fleet, complimentary cocktails and snacks.
For more information, fares, schedules and reservations visit
http://www.spiritair.com or call 1-800-772-7117 (en Espanol, 1-800-756-7117).
About DFW International Airport
Located halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW
International Airport is the worlds third busiest, offering nearly 2,000
flights per day and serving 59 million passengers a year. DFW International
Airport provides non-stop service to 135 domestic and 39 international
destinations worldwide. For the latest news, real-time flight information,
parking availability or further details regarding the many services provided
at DFW International Airport, log on to http://www.dfwairport.com.
