GSA Daily Staff Report
Published May 11, 2010

Southwest Airlines announced today that it will launch service to the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport.

The coveted low-fare airline also announced service to the Charleston International Airport today, cementing plans to come to South Carolina without incentive from the state.

State lawmakers have been crafting a compromise on airline incentive legislation that would provide a fund airlines could use as a backstop if they lost money during the early years of operating in South Carolina.

Midlands lawmakers blocked the bill over concerns that only Charleston and Greenville-Spartanburg would benefit.

Southwest said today that service will not be dependent on that legislation.

The airline said it will release details regarding start dates, destinations and fares, and number of departures at a later date.

"We look forward to serving the Palmetto State with Southwest Airlines' unique brand of genuine hospitality, great value, a robust and reliable flight network, and our terrific Employees who deliver excellent Customer Service," said Dave Ridley, Southwest's senior vice president of marketing and revenue management.