Governor O™Malley Congratulates Southwest Airlines for 15 Years of Service at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport

BWI AIRPORT, MD (September 15, 2008) - Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley today congratulated Southwest Airlines on its 15th anniversary of air service at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Southwest initiated service at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport on September 15, 1993 with eight daily departures - three to Cleveland and five to Chicago-Midway. "Today, the State of Maryland and Southwest Airlines celebrate an important milestone," said Governor O'Malley. "This 15-year partnership with Southwest has helped BWI Marshall Airport to grow and succeed. We celebrate and congratulate Southwest Airlines on their anniversary." Southwest Airlines is the leading carrier at BWI Marshall. The airline currently offers 162 daily nonstop departures to 38 destinations. In 2007, Southwest served more than 11 million passengers at BWI Marshall, 52.5% of the Airport's market share. BWI Marshall Airport is Southwest's fourth busiest operation, and its largest on the east coast. Southwest Airlines employs more than 2,500 people in the region, including pilots, flight attendants, training personnel, marketing employees, and other divisions. "BWI Marshall Airport acknowledges Southwest Airlines for its commitment and its accomplishments," said Timothy L. Campbell, Executive Director of the Maryland Aviation Administration. "We look forward to many more years of partnership in providing efficient, high-quality air service to Maryland and the entire National Capital Region."