The Columbus Dispatch

Southwest adding Columbus-austin nonstop flights

- Patrick Cooley

Beginning next year, you’ll be able to fly directly from Columbus to the capital of Texas.

Southwest Airlines will offer nonstop flights to Austin from John Glenn Columbus Internatio­nal Airport, the Columbus Regional Airport Authority said Thursday.

Previously, nonstop flights to Austin were only available during the winter holidays.

Those flights now will be available daily beginning March 10, 2022.

Columbus and Austin have much in common. The two cities are roughly the same size, are the capitals of their states, are home to large and well-regarded public universiti­es. They boast thriving nightlife scenes, and they have experience­d population growth in the past decade. Austin went from just over 790,000 residents in 2010 to just over 961,000 in 2020, according to the U.S. Census. Columbus had 905,748 residents in 2020, a 15% increase from 787,033 in 2010, the census said.

In a statement, airport authority President and CEO Joseph Nardone said the announceme­nt is welcome news for “business travelers and vacation seekers alike.”

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