Airport News

Akron-Canton, OH: A strong airport is good for business. Period. That is why business and tourism leaders throughout the region are collaborating to support Southwest Airlines at Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) by launching #LUVCAK today. The Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Greater Akron Chamber, the Stark Development Board, the Akron/Summit Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and the Canton/Stark County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau are leading the communitywide effort.
Why #LUVCAK? Simply, the community-based #LUVCAK campaign is designed to spread the love for Southwest and their single source booking strategy online ONLY at Southwest.com.  #LUVCAK includes social media, direct mail, advertising, email, a sales blitz, and events. The partners hope to enroll 20,000 new Rapid Rewards® members as a result. To help generate excitement, Southwest Airlines is offering sixty $100 LUV vouchers good for travel aboard Southwest Airlines from CAK. Travelers who enroll in Southwest’s award-winning frequent traveler program, Rapid Rewards, at www.luvcak.com will be entered to win. One lucky entrant will win four round-trip tickets aboard Southwest anywhere they fly in the domestic U.S. from CAK. 
“#LUVCAK will help educate our business community about the value of low fare service at our airport,” according to Denny Saunier, president and CEO, Canton Regional Chamber. “We plan on building a successful future with Southwest at CAK. This campaign will encourage business and leisure travelers alike to check Southwest.com every time they fly to be sure they are getting the lowest fare. It just makes sense.”
Southwest landed at the local airport in late 2012 bringing legendary low fares and customer service to our community. Additionally, Southwest acquired AirTran Airways in 2011 and is in the process of combining the carriers into a single airline. In 2013, AirTran was the largest carrier at CAK moving nearly a million customers to and from the airport. Approximately 75 percent of the AirTran flights from CAK will transition to Southwest flying by June 2, 2014 (including flights to Atlanta, New York (LGA), Boston, Orlando and Tampa).  
“We have been eagerly anticipating the integration of AirTran into Southwest,” said Dan Colantone, president and CEO, Greater Akron Chamber. “Every community in the U.S. hopes to land Southwest Airlines. Not only do we have Southwest, they are keeping fares low and retaining key business routes at CAK, positioning this region as an excellent location for business expansion. It would be an understatement to say we are thrilled to launch #LUVCAK today.”
“Promoting CAK as a low fare portal is very attractive to companies considering locating or expanding in Stark County,” according to Steve Paquette, president and CEO, Stark Development Board. “We want local business leaders to understand that Southwest drives those low fares. Our support of #LUVCAK and Southwest.com is vital to business development in the county and the region.”
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“Our tourism community benefits from low fares and a growing route map at CAK. Southwest will bring even more visitors to this region which is why we are on board with #LUVCAK,” said Gregg Mervis, president and CEO of the Akron/Summit Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. “Akron-Canton Airport is vital to the region, saving travelers nearly a billion dollars in air fare since 1997. We want to keep that momentum going.”
John Kiste, executive director, Canton/Stark County Convention and Visitors Bureau agrees, “Southwest’s arrival puts CAK on the map like no other airline can. We can’t wait to spread the news about Southwest.com. It is a simple way to preserve the low fares and exceptional service we have come to enjoy at our airport.”
Visit www.luvcak.com to enroll in Rapid Rewards, learn more about the #LUVCAK campaign and its partners, and for complete rules and regulations to win prizes.
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