Santa Rosa Airport to Welcome Southwest Airlines with More Flights to Denver

In just four months, Southwest Airlines will begin operating at the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport, and the Dallas-based airline has already seen strong demand for its services. The airport’s manager, Jon Stout, confirmed that Southwest will start flying to Denver five days a week, beginning on August 26. This includes Saturdays, as well as Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays.

Stout expressed excitement about the increased demand for flights to Denver and stated that advanced bookings have already been noticed. The airport plans to work closely with Southwest to potentially add even more flights in the future. This is great news for the regional airport, which had previously projected a record-breaking number of passengers for 2025 but has since revised its forecasts due to unexpected flight cancellations.

One of the main reasons for the lower passenger forecast is the recent tule fog, which has caused numerous flight cancellations for incoming evening flights. This has also affected morning departures, as the planes that normally park overnight at the airport are not available. However, with the upcoming rain, the fog is expected to dissipate and improve flight operations.

In addition to the new Denver flights, Santa Rosa Airport is also looking to expand its market by working with Alaska Airlines. Stout recently traveled to Seattle to meet with the airline and discuss the possibility of adding more flight options. One potential route being considered is Santa Rosa to Honolulu, as Alaska Airlines has just announced flights between Burbank and Honolulu. Stout believes that the shorter runway and distance to Hawaii make it a viable option for Santa Rosa as well.

Looking at the airport’s performance in November 2025, it has seen a 4. 4% increase in passengers compared to the same month in 2024. This was primarily driven by Alaska Airlines and American Airlines, although the airport also saw a boost in passengers from Avelo, which flew in and out of Santa Rosa until its departure in August. However, last month saw a decrease in passenger numbers, with 19. 2% fewer travelers compared to November 2024.

American Airlines’ seasonal service to Dallas has also paused for the winter and is expected to resume on May 21. While the airport has been pushing for year-round service to Dallas, American has yet to make that move. However, Stout believes that the airline may be taking note of Southwest’s arrival at the Sonoma County airport, especially since its headquarters in Dallas is just 20 miles away.

Overall, the Santa Rosa Airport is looking forward to welcoming Southwest Airlines and expanding its flight options to popular destinations like Denver and potentially Honolulu. With increased demand and improved flight operations, the airport is hopeful for a successful future with its airline partners.