GRAND RAPIDS, MI (WTVB) - Frequent flyers in Branch County will have another option come this summer. Southwest Airlines is coming to West Michigan bringing new destinations and, hopefully, lower fares. The announcement came yesterday in Grand Rapids that Southwest Airline flights would replace regional commuter AirTran in August. Southwest plans to add non-stop service to Baltimore, Denver, Orlando and St. Louis, and many believe the arrival of Southwest will also help lower the prices for other flights out of Grand Rapids.

The August 11th kickoff for Southwest is also good news for Grand Rapids' tourism officials, who are planning a nationwide campaign promoting the area as a tourist destination.