Projo Biz Blog

WARWICK, R.I. -- The chief executive officer of Southwest Airlines Co., the airline that carries half the passengers who use T.F. Green Airport, said Friday his company is committed to continuing to serve the Rhode Island airport, even as the airline begins service to Boston.

The discount airline began service to and from Green 13 years ago, helping Southwest establish a foothold in New England. As it did in other regions of the country, Southwest's move to Green helped change air service in New England -- and drained away customers from Boston's Logan International Airport.

Now, years after also establishing service to Manchester, N.H. and Hartford, Conn., Southwest begins "conservative" service at Logan on Sunday, with 10 daily departures planned.

"We want to grow here in Providence," Gary Kelly said while waiting to board a Southwest flight from Green. "There's no business reason that we want to come and cannibalize ourselves."

Southwest, he said, is entering the crowded Boston metropolitan market "because our research shows we are not getting the customer from downtown Boston or who is going to downtown Boston."

 Tags  Southwest Airlines TF Green Airport Warwick RI

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