Lexington, Ky. - Blaming rising fuel costs, Southwest Airlines and its recently acquired AirTran Airways will discontinue non-stop service on AirTran between Lexington's Blue Grass Airport and Orlando, Florida on August 12.
"The airline industry continues to face many challenges, including significantly higher fuel costs," Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer Bob Jordan said in a company issued statement. "We must do everything we can to operate efficiently and profitably (and) align service with customer demand." Jordan also serves as AirTran president.
Southwest will convert AirTran operations to Southwest at a total of 22 U.S. and international airports over time, according to the Dallas-based carrier.
The statement from Southwest said "Effective Aug. 12, 2012, AirTran Airways will cease operations at the following airports: Allentown, Pa. (ABE); Lexington, Ky. (LEX); Harrisburg, Pa. (MDT); Sarasota, Fla. (SRQ); Huntsville, Ala. (HSV); and White Plains, N.Y. (HPN). AirTran currently operates six daily nonstop flights at Sarasota with 16 Employees.
Its Allentown (one daily nonstop flight), Lexington (two daily nonstop flights), Harrisburg (one daily nonstop flight), Huntsville (two daily nonstop flights), and White Plains (three daily nonstop flights) operations are all supported by AirTran's contracted vendor partners."
AirTran Airways will continue to operate at Allentown, Lexington, Harrisburg, Sarasota, Huntsville, and White Plains through Aug. 11, 2012, the statement said, adding, "Ticketed passengers, passengers holding reservations, or passengers desiring to make reservations for flights to or from these airports, have no need to alter their travel plans prior to Aug. 12, 2012."
"While we are disappointed that AirTran will discontinue its operation in Lexington and that Southwest will not be coming to central Kentucky at this time, we will continue to serve our passengers with the strong service of our existing airlines and continue to develop new opportunities," said Blue Grass Airport Executive Director Eric Frankl in a statement.