ABQ Sunport, Southwest Airlines Increase Summer Capacity

Southwest Airlines recently released its summer schedule, which includes the return of several flights lost or reduced in frequency due to COVID-19. Among the changes are the return of direct, non-stop service between Austin, Texas and Los Angeles, Calif. and the Albuquerque International Sunport.

“These new cross-country flights are a reflection of the increased demand the Sunport has seen in recent weeks, and the months of work the team there has put in to reconnecting these flights,” said Mayor Keller. “New flights and more daily travelers are great news for the city and for the families who have put off travel for over a year.”

In addition to the return of suspended routes, the airline, which has the largest presence at the Sunport, is also increasing frequency on several routes:

• Baltimore, Md. gains a Sunday option
• Las Vegas, Nev. gains an additional frequency every day
• Chicago’s Midway Airport gains an additional Saturday option
• Oakland, Calif. gains a Saturday option, now flying seven days a week

Tickets for these flights are on sale now and begin June 6th.

“A key component to the Sunport’s recovery from the COVID pandemic is gaining back suspended routes,” said Nyika Allen, Director of Aviation for the City of Albuquerque. “Our development team has been in constant communication with our airline partners working to bring these flights back, and we are very encouraged by Southwest’s latest schedule. We are hopeful to see more of this trend in the coming months.”

 In recent weeks, the Sunport has seen its highest levels of passenger traffic since before the pandemic began. The most recent seven-day average is 8,505, up 653% over 2020, and down 35% compared to pre-pandemic levels. At the height of the pandemic, traffic was down as much as 97%.