Dayton getting new airline?

DAYTON - The city's aviation director said Monday he has met twice recently with Southwest Airlines to discuss the possibility of having the low-fare carrier serve Dayton International Airport.

Iftikhar Ahmad said he believes there is a chance that Southwest would consider serving Dayton at some point.

"Is there a chance? Yes. Have they promised anything? No," Ahmad said during an interview with the Dayton Daily News' editorial board.

Ahmad took over in October 2006 as Dayton's airport director. He has said that adding air service, and preserving what Dayton has, are key priorities.

Southwest is unhappy about the recent startup in Columbus of Skybus, a competing low-fare carrier, he said.

Dallas-based Southwest serves Columbus, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Louisville in this region.

Southwest's representatives have talked with officials of Dayton and other airports this year in continuing research of cities that the airline doesn't already serve, but Southwest doesn't anticipate adding any other cities in 2007 other than its announced intention to begin serving San Francisco on Aug. 26, Southwest spokesman Chris Mainz said.

The contacts with Dayton were informal ones this year at conferences to which airport and airline officials from around the country were invited, Mainz said.

No cities have been locked in as additions to Southwest's service lineup in 2008, he said.

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