PORTLAND — Southwest Airlines recently released its planned flight schedule for service at the Portland International Jetport, which begins on April 14, 2013.

According to a news release, the airline will initially offer nonstop flights each day to and from Baltimore-Washington International Airport, with departures from Portland on weekdays at 6:05 a.m., 11:55 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; on Saturdays at 6:05 a.m. and 2 p.m.; and on Sundays at 11:55 a.m. and 5:20 p.m.

Nonstop departures on weekdays from Baltimore to Portland will be at 10 a.m., 3:35 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.; on Saturdays at 11:55 a.m. and 8:40 p.m.; and on Sundays at 10 a.m., 3:35 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.

All flights will be on 143-seat Boeing 737s.

Travelers from Maine choosing Southwest will now have convenient connections from Portland to nearly 60 cities throughout the U.S. via Baltimore, a 30 percent increase over the number of destinations currently available to Portland passengers on AirTran.

Portland Mayor Michael Brennan said, “This is an exciting time for the city of Portland, the region and the state. We look forward to welcoming and supporting Southwest Airlines as the Jetport’s newest airline partner.”

Airport Director Paul Bradbury said, “We have been overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response of the flying public throughout the region” to Southwest’s announcement on Oct. 18 that it would begin air service at Portland in the spring. “When Southwest’s iconic red and blue jets land in Portland in April, our passengers will have more convenient, affordable access to the nation’s largest domestic airline than ever before.”

AirTran Airways will continue to operate its daily nonstop service to Baltimore with convenient connections throughout the U.S. and Caribbean until April 13, 2013.