Southwest begins service to Des Moines

Southwest Airlines has landed in Iowa with new service at Des Moines International Airport.

The airline credited AirTran Airways, the airline it took over, for its entrance into the market. AirTran offers two daily departures to Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport.

Yesterday, Southwest took over the service with two daily departures to Chicago's Midway International Airport. That will connect fliers in Iowa to Southwest's largest operation in the country.

"Our arrival in Des Moines represents one of the true benefits of our integration with AirTran Airways,allowing us to continue to bring low fares and legendary customer service to the people of Des Moines," Southwest Executive Vice President Ron Ricks said in a written statement.

Southwest will be flying its larger Boeing 737 into Iowa. That will results in a nearly 200% increase in available Southwest seats in Des Moines. Before Southwest's arrival, AirTran offered 100 seats a day. Now, Southwest is offering 274 seats a day, seven days a week.

"Our passengers have sought this service for many years, and now it is a reality," Don Smithey, aviation director of the Des Moines International Airport, said in a written statement.