Boeing 737 Draped In State Colors For Flag Day
Southwest Airlines Tuesday showed
the State of Maryland a symbol of true "LUV!" The airline unveiled
Maryland One, a 737 emblazoned with an artist's rendering of the
Maryland flag.
"We are thrilled to honor Maryland with this beautiful aircraft;
it is truly a testament to the great relationship we have developed
with our Baltimore/Washington Customers and a tribute to our
Employees," said Colleen Barrett, Southwest Airlines President.
"Our pride for Maryland will now fly high over the 60 cities
Southwest serves."
Since beginning service to Maryland at Baltimore/Washington
International Airport in 1993, Southwest Airlines has grown from
eight to 164 daily nonstop departures. As Southwest Airlines has
increased its flights, it also has increased its need for space.
Last month, Southwest celebrated the opening of BWI's newest
terminal, Terminal A/B. The new terminal not only offers brand new
gates, it also offers a state-of-the-art baggage system, 11
security lanes dedicated solely to Southwest Airlines, a new ticket
counter, and new concessions.
"Southwest's success at BWI would not have been possible without
the sum of many parts, and this beautiful aircraft is a result of
our collective hard work," said Gary Kelly, Southwest's Chief
Executive Officer. "We have a great partnership with the State of
Maryland and the Maryland Aviation Administration. Together we have
all given our Maryland Customers a high- quality travel experience
and low fares."
Barrett and Kelly hosted more than 200 community leaders today,
including Maryland's Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., Maryland's
Secretary of Transportation Robert L. Flanagan, and Maryland
Aviation Administration Executive Director, Paul Wiedefeld.
Attendees waved Maryland flags, took photos with historical
impersonators, and watched Maryland One make its first fly-by at
Baltimore/Washington International Airport. Gov. Ehrlich, Gary
Kelly, Colleen Barrett, and Southwest Executive Chairman Herb
Kelleher closed the event by christening the aircraft and leading
the attendees in a champagne toast.
"Maryland One truly showcases the tremendous partnership that
our State continues to have with the Southwest family," said
Governor Ehrlich. "It is a testament to the quality service that
Southwest Airlines has provided Maryland for the past 12
years."
"This day is a source of pride for all of us at BWI," said Paul
J. Wiedefeld, Executive Director of the Maryland Aviation
Administration. "We stand together with the employees of Southwest
Airlines to celebrate our continuing relationship and growth."
Maryland One joins ten other 737s in Southwest's fleet that
carry a unique paint scheme: Arizona One, California One, Lone Star
One (Texas), Nevada One, New Mexico One, three Shamu aircraft (Sea
World), Silver One (celebrating Southwest's 25th anniversary), and
Triple Crown One (recognizing Southwest's top rankings for ontime
performance, baggage handling, and Customer satisfaction).
Baltimore/Washington International Airport is Southwest's third
largest operation in terms of daily departures. The airline is
currently hiring ramp and provisioning agents for its BWI
operation. Southwest Airlines, the nation's largest carrier in
terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 60 airports
in 31 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates nearly
3,000 flights a day and has 31,000+ Employees systemwide.