Southwest Airlines expands schedule at area airport

SARASOTA — Southwest Airlines will add three additional nonstop routes to its schedule at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. 

The routes will be Saturdays only from March 13 through April 10, according to a press release.  Destinations will include Columbus, Ohio; Indianapolis and Pittsburgh. 

The new seasonal service will be in addition to the previously announced daily service to Baltimore/Washington, Chicago, Nashville and Houston. These destinations are currently available to book online at Southwest.com. Tickets can be purchased as far out as mid-August. 

Southwest Airlines, whose stock ticker symbol is LUV, will begin service at the airport, under the call letters SRQ, Feb. 14, 2021 — Valentine's Day.   

“It is exciting to see Southwest Airlines adding new service at SRQ," says Rick Piccolo, president and CEO of Sarasota Bradenton International Airport in the statement. "With seven destinations now being offered, the community will have more choices when making their travel plans. It is our hope that the community and visitors will embrace the new service and take advantage of the low fares, travel flexibility, and free checked bag policy that Southwest provides to their customers." 

SRQ currently has 10 airlines providing nonstop service to 40 destinations.