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Southwest Deal With WestJet May Open International Markets

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By TED JACKOVICS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 8, 2008

TAMPA — Southwest Airlines' first partnership with an international carrier could mean lower fares and easier bookings for Canada-Tampa travelers.

The agreement announced Tuesday would allow Southwest and Canadian carrier WestJet to share booking information and eliminate potential foreign currency exchange complications for U.S. or Canadian-bound passengers.

WestJet serves Toronto from Tampa International, in addition to seasonal service that in the past included Ottawa, Montreal, Hamilton, Ont., and Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Calgary-Alberta-based airline serves 49 North American destinations.

Southwest is Tampa International's busiest carrier, with 85 local daily departures serving more than two dozen nonstop destinations.

Industry observers say the partnership could be the beginning of multiple Southwest entrees into international markets.

"What I see is that this is just Southwest's first step with international carriers, which could be huge for us and eventually involve Latin American, Caribbean and European markets," said Tampa International Airport director Louis Miller.

The airlines have not announced routes or fares yet, and the U.S. and Canadian governments must sign off on the arrangement, which is not expected to take effect until late 2009.

The code-share agreement would allow each carrier to check both customers and baggage to a final destination, WestJet said in a news release, and integrate each carrier's frequent flyer program.

By selling seats on each other's flights, both airlines are expected to gain new customers.

Both Southwest and WestJet fly Boeing 737 aircraft, and both are among the few remaining North American carriers refusing to charge extra for checked baggage and other a la carte services to compensate for soaring fuel prices.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817 or tjackovics@tampatrib.com

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