Spirit Airlines Moves from D.C to BWI

Travel provider said plans are to improve flexibility, fares.

  Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) announced Tuesday that a new airline moved into its stable of what now includes 16 carriers.  Spirit Airlines is shifting operations from Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., to the Anne Arundel County airport in early September. Starting Sept. 5, two Spirit flights each day will be headed from BWI to Fort Lauderdale, FL. On Sept. 6, the airline will add one flight daily to Dallas/Fort Worth.  Spirit—which provides service within the U.S. and to Latin America and the Carribean—has been serving the Baltimore-Washington area for the past nine years, according to a statement from the company.  “Our new location at BWI provides Spirit with better scheduling flexibility and the …

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Airport Enhancements Begin at BWI

The Observation Gallery will be closed until spring 2013 during the construction.

The following information was submitted to Patch by Jonathan Dean, spokesman for BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. It is printed here in its entirety and edited for Patch style: Construction has started on a major terminal enhancement program at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The work will improve and modernize the BWI Marshall passenger terminal facility and provide new services for Airport travelers. The BWI Marshall Observation Gallery will be closed until spring 2013 to accommodate the construction program. “BWI Marshall is Maryland’s gateway to the world,” said Gov. Martin O’Malley. “Together, we have worked hard to create a world-class facility. The recent surge in passenger growth is evidence that our …

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BWI's Southwest Airlines Featured in 'On the Fly'

The show filmed at Southwest counters and terminals in airports across the country—including at BWI Thurgood Marshall Aiport—premiered last Thursday on TLC.

Television viewers get a glimpse into the days of Southwest Airlines employees and passengers at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) with the premiere of On the Fly last Thursday on TLC. The reality show, which airs every Thursday at 9 p.m., will feature portions filmed at BWI's Southwest, as well as other airports across the country. "On the Fly gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the large-scale operations and personal customer stories at Southwest Airlines," according to the show's website. "Each episode introduces viewers to Southwest Airlines employees who must think on their feet as they cope with weather delays, irate passengers and more surprising situations. On the Fly offers a look at the dramatic and uplifting moments that…

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Suspected Pepper Spray Evacuates Portions of BWI

Concourses A and B at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport were evacuated after a strange odor and irritant were reported in the air, airport officials said.

A portion of BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport was evacuated Monday morning after an unusual order and irritant—suspected to be pepper spray—was discovered in the air at the Concourse B security checkpoint, airport officials said. At about 8:45 a.m. Monday, passengers and employees evacuated the two concourses as a precaution, according to BWI spokesman Jonathan Dean. Seven Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees were transported to local hospitals due to the irritant in the air, Dean said. After an investigation, officials discovered an item in a garbage can near the security checkpoint at Concourse B. "We will continue the investigation, but at this point it is believed to be pepper spray," Dean said. Passengers and employees…

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LINK: Transportation Officials Confiscate Knives at BWI

A man was carrying three throwing knives in his carry-on.

What Exactly Happened Monday in the Skies Over BWI?

Witnesses turned to Facebook after seeing military jet escorting another aircraft near BWI, however no one is claiming responsibility.

Several witnesses reported seeing an aircraft being escorted by a military jet in the skies near Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) Monday shortly before noon, but officials don’t concur.    “No report of any such activity,” said Jonathan Dean, BWI spokesperson.  There’s no denying people saw it though. Witnesses turned to Facebook for answers.  “Does anyone know why a military jet intercepted a passenger plane from BWI and turned it back to the airport?” questioned one woman on a non-county affiliated Facebook page called Anne Arundel County Breaking News and Events.    Another witness wrote, “I saw this to (sic) while driving on 100. I couldn't get a good enough look but assumed they were preps for the airshow this week ... but we all know …

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