Airline Has "Much Different Story To Tell" Than Competitors

Bucking the current industry trend to reduce capacity and flights, Southwest Airlines announced this week the low-cost carrier will add service in select markets and tweak its schedule. Through the elimination of 31 existing roundtrip flights from its current flight schedule, effective November 2 Southwest will add 40 new roundtrip flights in key growth cities such as Denver and Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood.

"We are trimming our flight schedule, frequently and continually, of unproductive flights, while we continue to grow in cities like Denver," Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly said. "We have a much different story to tell today than our competitors. We are well prepared financially, we are the nation's Leading Low Fare Airline, we are still growing, and our People provide outstanding Customer Service. Best of all, we don't nickel and dime our Customers with added fees."

The new flights come as service at a number of airports is scaled back. Hardest hit is Chicago's Midway Airport, with the net loss of nine daily round-trip flights. A full list of Southwest's changes is available in a .pdf file here.

The carrier said it will utilize a brand new optimization model to consistently monitor the effectiveness of its route structure. Southwest will accommodate new service with two aircraft that it previously planned to retire, bringing this year's net aircraft growth to 15.

Kelly says he still expects Southwest's 2008 year-over-year available seat mile (ASM) capacity growth to be in the four percent range.

FMI: www.southwest.com