Southwest Airlines To Expand Operations at BWI

Southwest Airlines is all set to expand its operations at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgwood Marshall Airport. The airliner is facing stiff competition from AirTran Airways and JetBlue Airways. The region has seen a phenomenal growth even in the times of recession. By May, 2010 Southwest Airlines will have 181 scheduled flights from and to the BWI airport from the current 157 scheduled flights. The airliner is also planning to schedule a flight from BWI to Panama City.

With an increased competition, consumers are all set to gain from the tussle on competitive pricing. Already the fares are pretty low and the margins of operation are cut throat too. With recessionary dip consumers have cut down their travel. However, with increased traffic BWI has been able to showcase its high demand and efficiency of operations. This has caused the airliners operating from BWI to benefit. Primarily the low cost airliners including JetBlue and AirTran have been able to gain more traction and increase in their bottom line. With airliners like JetBlue offering tickets from BWI to Boston in as low as $9.99, competition is set to grow and flourish in the near term.

AirTran has also gained traction in the region; it added several flights to New Orleans and Indianapolis. Southwest admits that it has seen a growing competition from low cost carriers. It is estimated that current market share of Southwest Airlines is around 53%. Southwest has to strategize its pricing and operations in a better way. BWI is also known as the low cost airport majorly because of Southwest's major operations.

It would be interesting to see the next steps adopted by Southwest Airlines. It has a large presence in BWI and surrounding areas, while its competitors have focused on increasing the baggage price it has kept its old pricing.