Announces Codeshare Agreement With Volaris

Southwest Airlines appears to be leveraging its strong financial footing to expand its reach at a time when many competitors are contracting.

In June, the airline announced it would add 40 new flights in markets such as Denver and Fort Lauderdale, where network carriers were planning cuts in an attempt to force ticket prices up. In July, Southwest announced it would pursue a codeshare agreement with Canadian low-cost airline WestJet, allowing Southwest customer to book flights to new Canadian destinations.

Now, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports Southwest will partner with Volaris to allow service to Mexico starting in 2010.

Southwest spokeswoman Olga Romero noted the match between her company and Volaris, which was founded in 2006, is a good one. "They are very focused on customer service. It's a lot like a Mexican version of Southwest."

The two airlines say they'll announce destinations and fares by early 2010. There's been no indication so far about what airports will serve as links between their networks. The two companies will share revenue from itineraries on which they cooperate.

This isn't the first time Southwest has sought a partner airline with service into Mexico. Its earlier partnership with ATA ended when that carrier went bankrupt last year.

Southwest, and Canada's WestJet, both operate fleets comprised exclusively of Boeing 737s of widely varying vintage. Volaris currently serves 23 cities in Mexico with a fleet of 18 Airbus A319s and A320s, with an average age of just two years.

FMI: www.southwest.com, www.volaris.com.mx