NEW PLACES, NEW PARTNER: SOUTHWEST SETS SIGHTS ON ST. MAARTEN AND BEGINS NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH EVA AIR

Core Insights - Southwest Airlines has extended its flight schedule through June 3, 2026, introducing new routes and a partnership with EVA Air [1][4] - The airline will begin service to St. Maarten, its first new international destination since 2021, starting April 7, 2026 [2][3] - New domestic routes include seasonal service from Knoxville to Denver and from Chicago O'Hare to Panama City, Florida, both starting April 9, 2026 [6][7] Company Developments - The new international service to St. Maarten will operate roundtrip once daily between St. Maarten and Orlando, with expanded weekend service to Baltimore/Washington [3] - The partnership with EVA Air allows for interline journeys connecting North America and Asia, available through EVA Air booking channels [5] - Southwest Airlines operates at 117 airports across 11 countries and carried over 140 million passengers in 2024 [8][9] Industry Context - EVA Air has been recognized with a SKYTRAX 5-Star Airlines award and has a strong presence in North America, offering 89 weekly flights connecting Taipei with major U.S. cities [10] - The expansion of routes and partnerships reflects a strategic move to enhance connectivity and customer options in the competitive airline industry [1][4]