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That’s a good question. In the midst of a pandemic, it’s easy to think that all the news is bad. That’s not the case.
Nonetheless, it was a pleasure to bring our readers the news that Southwest will be launching a direct flight to Austin in March. In the transport game, more direct flights to more cities are important. If you’re flying into Denver or Las Vegas or Dallas or Houston – as Southwest does from Midland – it’s often to catch a flight to another location in the country. It was interesting to hear that Southwest – adding more direct flights from Austin – was setting up the Austin Bergstrom International Airport to become a regional hub.
Southwest announced this week it is planning 20 new flights per day. These locations include Midland, Amarillo, Charleston, South Carolina; Columbus, Ohio; Ontario, California; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Panama City, Florida; Sarasota / Bradenton, Florida; and Destin / Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
Air travel is just as much about quality of life as anything else. Direct access makes life easier and flying more bearable. When Southwest canceled the direct flight in 2009, it meant the Austin trip forced a person to fly to Dallas or Houston first. That will no longer be the case.
It also seems fitting that it was Southwest, which enabled a direct flight to Austin. I am a texas boy. I grew up taking a southwest flight from Dallas to Midland once or twice a year to visit my family. Southwest has provided Texans with convenience and often transportation options that other airlines cannot provide. Quickly, what’s the difference between Midland, Abilene, and San Angelo? Southwest made Midland the seventh city on the airline’s system in 1977. That was a quality of life and business coup for our city. Just ask your friends in these cities or Wichita Falls or Bryan-College Station.
“It is extremely exciting to see nonstop flights to Austin return to Midland International Air & Space Port,” said Sara Harris, president of Midland Development Corp. “Air traffic offers decisive economic advantages and is an essential part of the economic stability of our city. It improves the quality of life and contributes to sustainable development by making travel and trade easier. Businesses planning to expand or relocate to Midland should first inquire about available commercial flights and direct destinations from Midland. An additional direct flight to and from Midland shows confidence in our region. Midland Development Corp. thanks Southwest Airlines, MOTRAN and all partners involved in restoring the Midland-Austin route. “
Midland Mayor Patrick Payton added, “With Midland and the Permian Basin continuing to lead the world as the safest oil and gas producing region, it is good news that Southwest is starting to expand its offering. We are grateful to everyone who has worked on these improvements as we know that abundant and reliable air travel is essential to our continued growth. “
So yeah, that’s good news. Even if you never fly to Austin, like Las Vegas or Denver before, chances are, and opportunity is everything. Many thanks to James Beauchamp of the Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance, State Representatives Tom and Nadine Craddick, and Ray and Lorraine Perryman for their years of work making it easier for those traveling to the University of Texas Games and others ahead of the Texas Legislature testifying and even a few people wanting to get a little crazy in Travis County.
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