ECP, Southwest celebrate new Kansas City route

WEST BAY — Passengers arriving at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport on Flight 1545 from Kansas City Saturday afternoon received a regal welcome as Southwest Airlines inaugurated weekly service to Missouri's largest city.

Their Boeing 737 taxied under a soaring arch of water from two airport firetrucks before halting at Gate 3, where bright balloons added a splash of color to the concourse. Smiling airline staffers handed out child-sized beach balls, luggage tags and cookies. Local reporters thronged them with questions.

But they had already gotten the biggest gift of all, several passengers said: It was a nonstop flight.

"When we heard that Southwest was launching a nonstop flight, we were so excited," said Bev Wilhite, who flew down on Flight 1545 with five family members, including an 18-month old daughter. "We were the last ones to get seats." Another seven members of their extended family heading for a week-long vacation in Seacrest were forced to fly here with a transfer of planes "God knows where," she added.

Deplaning passengers Jay and Mary Beebe of Kansas City voiced the same sentiment. Traveling to a vacation home in Santa Rosa Beach with their two pre-teen sons, they were delighted to learn of the new nonstop service.

"We were stuck in New Orleans one time at midnight waiting for a plane," Mary Beebe said. "All of the food places were closed and there was nowhere we could take the boys for something to eat. That was a long four hours."

For Southwest Captain Jeffrey W. Reagan, the inaugural flight festivities were both a career highlight and at the same time just one part of a full day's work. A veteran pilot with 18,000 hours in his logbook, Reagan said this was the first time in his 13 years with Southwest that he had taxied under a water cannon salute. "It was very exciting," he said. "For most of us (pilots), the water cannon salute is when you are retiring."

Reagan then excused himself. Pointing to another Boeing 737 at adjoining Gate 2, he glanced at his watch. "We're not done. I've got to fly this other plane up to St. Louis, and then on to Oakland. I'll be home by midnight."

Airport Executive Director Parker McClellan said expanding summertime flight service into the Midwest is a critical element of the area's push for expanded tourism. "We continue to find the Midwest is a big target market," McClellan said. "Our airlines will continue to grow that market segment."

In addition to Southwest Airlines' nonstop Kansas City flight, the airport last month announced three other new nonstop flights — all between ECP and Chicago (ORD) — on top of its recurring seasonal air service expansion. They include nonstop service by United Airlines on Saturdays and Sundays, and Saturday service by American Airlines.  

Kansas City resident Jay Beebe agreed, saying of the nonstop service, "This really opens up opportunities for us to come visit the Panhandle."