…a Great Product Introduced to a Great Market

Just before three p.m. today, the blue and red iron bird of Southwest Airlines touched down at the Phillip Goldson International Airport. On board were Belizeans employed by the company including a pilot, flight attendant and others.  With Belize added to its schedule, Southwest now has ninety-six destinations across seven countries. While Tourism Director Karen Bevans spoke of the importance to overnight tourism in the Jewel, Southwest’s Managing Director of Customer Support and Services, James Ashworth says that the historic event is simply bringing a great product to a great market.

James Ashworth, Managing Director, Customer Support & Services, Southwest Airlines

“This is historic for south west as well because it is our first time in Belize and it is really good for us because we like to connect people to what’s important in their lives.  And we believe that there is a lot of Belizeans that would like to get to the states and there are a lot of folks from the states that would like to get to Belize. So it is exciting for us.”

James Ashworth

Reporter

“So in terms of Southwest is a discount carrier. Tell us about the services that will be provided.”

James Ashworth

“Well Southwest, we have what we call the Southwest effect. When we enter a market, we bring fares down by approximately thirty percent; we have no bag fees, no change fees and we have world class customer service. So for us, it is bringing a great product to a great market. Belize is important to us. We just launched international service a little over a year ago and so Belize is just one more way for us to continue to have a footprint not only in Mexico, but in Latin America and the Caribbean. So we are excited today.”

Karen Bevans

Karen Bevans, Director of Tourism

“It definitely will be beneficial to Belizeans I must first say. Much lower fares, free luggage, change seats, change dates, change anything free of costs and I am sure Belizeans are looking forward to that. That will also bring about a new turn, a paradigm shift in the market because then the competing airlines will of course do something to match that or to keep in line with the competition, all to the benefit of Belizeans. As we always say competition brings benefit to the public and to consumers and that is what we want in the industry. This will help to grow the industry and we were looking forward to it. Today is a reality.”