Southwest launching service from Des Moines to Chicago on Sept. 30

Southwest Airlines will take over existing AirTran Airlines service from Des Moines International Airport to Chicago's Midway Airport on Sept. 30.

Dallas-based Southwest will operate two roundtrip flights daily between Des Moines and Chicago.

In January, Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways confirmed plans for Southwest to continue operations in Des Moines and 21 other AirTran markets where Southwest Airlines does not currently operate. Southwest said it will continue to make announcements over the next several years as it firms up plans for additional cities, subject to labor negotiations.

Southwest acquired AirTran in May 2011. The airline said it recognized opportunities throughout the summer schedule to use aircraft time and make adjustments to both Southwest and AirTran flight schedules.

Gov. Terry Branstad welcomed the announcement of the planned transition from AirTran to Southwest in Spetember.

"This is great news for Iowa as Southwest has had a track record of increasing ridership, reducing fares and providing great competition," Branstad said in a statement released by his office. "I believe this will be a very positive development for air travelers and should be a significant benefit for our economic development efforts."

After 15 years, AirTran ended service on Jan. 6 to the Quad City International Airport in Moline. The airline, which once served three destinations from the Quad Cities, was down to four flights a week to Orlando, Fla.

Frontier Airlines will launch nonstop service between The Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids and its Denver hub  on May 17. Introductory fares will begin at $60 each way, plus the usual fees and taxes.

Frontier initially will offer four weekly flights, with the possibility of additional flights depending on demand.