- Southwest Airlines Lands In Panama City Beach

Southwest Airlines has finally taken up residence at the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in Panama City Beach. Today (Saturday), Northwest brought in two of their 737′s during the grand opening and public viewing of the new airport. Bands played and a large audience cheered as the jets came to a rolling stop at the new terminal and, 70 plus Southwest employees disembarked and entered into the celebration. The new airport is located  in a tranquil 4000 acre setting just north of Panama City Beach with easy access from Hwy. 77 and 79 via Rt. 388. Northwest Florida Beaches International is the first new airport to be constructed in the United States in the last 15 years. It also carries the designation of being a “green” facility. Currently Southwest and Delta will be serving the new airport with 38 daily flights commencing Sunday, May 23rd. While Southwest will be utilizing 737 aircraft, Delta will be serving the airport with regional jets as well as MD-88′s. Between the two airlines patrons will now be able to fly directly to Orlando, Baltimore/Washington, Nashville, Dallas, Memphis and Atlanta, with connecting flights throughout the entire United States. Even before the public opening officials were talking about the possibility of building an international concourse to complement the 10,000 foot long main runway which can accommodate international flights. The new airport also lays claim to a “state-of-the-art” security system.