9-14-05 - Southwest Airlines has canceled all service to Hurricane Katrina-ravaged New Orleans with no immediate schedule for returning.

Dallas-based Southwest Airlines had been the busiest carrier at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

Spokeswoman Angela Vargo says New Orleans employees willing to transfer will be given an opportunity to move where jobs are open.

Those Southwest workers otherwise can return to the New Orleans airport if operations resume.

Southwest, in a message to ticket holders, said it would consider rebuilding a flight schedule if passenger demand comes back.

Prior to Hurricane Katrina, 18 domestic and international airlines served the New Orleans airport -- which just this week resumed limited passenger service.

Those commercial flights mainly are being used by rescue and relief workers.

Southwest last year had about 31 percent of the market share, followed by Delta Air Lines and Fort Worth-based American Airlines.

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On the Net:
www.southwest.com
www.aa.com
www.delta.com