Southwest to offer flights from Bellingham

In need of a vacation? Southwest Airlines announced it will start flights out of Bellingham International Airport (BLI) before the end of the year.

“We can’t wait to welcome Southwest Airlines to Bellingham,” Ken Bell, Port of Bellingham’s commission president, said in an announcement. “Southwest’s daily flights will deliver frequent and reliable value service connecting our corner of the Pacific Northwest with the rest of North America, bringing low fares to Bellingham and our neighbors in British Columbia.”

The port operates the Bellingham airport, located at 4255 Mitchell Way.

Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said in a message to his employees that the company anticipates Canadian travelers using the airline to escape high fares and taxes once the border reopens.

A nonstop flight schedule will be announced later this year, according to the media release. While announcing its service to Bellingham, Southwest also said it had added new destinations to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Eugene, Oregon. The airline company has announced 17 new airports since the pandemic started.

Other airlines that fly through BLI include San Juan Airlines; Alaska Airlines, with daily flights to SeaTac; and Allegiant Air, which flies nonstop to Las Vegas, Phoenix and four popular California destinations.

“We thank Southwest for making a significant commitment to our region and seeing the value in this market,” Bell said. “This will greatly improve our ability to serve the economic needs of Whatcom County and the surrounding region.”