06:38 AM EST, 12/19/2024 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with responses from Southwest Airlines ( LUV ), United Airlines and Delta Air Lines ( DAL ) in the last three paragraphs.)
The US Department of Transportation finalized its award of five new daily round-trip flights from Washington Reagan National Airport to major airlines following legislation signed by President Biden in May, multiple media outlets reported Tuesday.
Reuters said the new flights, set to begin within 90 days, will be operated by American Airlines ( AAL ) , Delta Air Lines ( DAL ) , United Airlines (UAL), Southwest Airlines ( LUV ) , and Alaska Airlines (ALK).
The reports said the routes include a Delta flight to Seattle, a Southwest ( LUV ) flight to Las Vegas, an American Airlines ( AAL ) flight to San Antonio, Texas, an Alaska Airlines flight to San Diego, and a United Airlines flight to San Francisco.
The decision follows tentative awards made in October.
The Transportation Department rejected JetBlue's ( JBLU ) proposal to add a flight to Puerto Rico, according to Reuters.
"Following an approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Alaska will soon offer the only nonstop service between San Diego International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport," Alaska Airlines said in a statement.
"American is thrilled to begin nonstop air service to San Antonio from our nation's capital. I want to thank Senator Ted Cruz, the city of San Antonio, and the countless elected officials who advocated to connect the fastest growing city in the US with Washington, D.C. on American Airlines ( AAL )," the airline told MT Newswires.
Southwest Airlines ( LUV ) told MT Newswires that the approval of its application to provide nonstop service between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Las Vegas will provide consumers with lower average fares and more choices when traveling between these important markets.
Meanwhile, United Airlines said it doesn't have anything new to share on the matter.
"Delta commends the Department of Transportation for recognizing that additional service from DCA to Seattle will give consumers the much-needed competition and choice they deserve," Delta Air Lines ( DAL ) spokesperson told MT Newswires.