Southwest's Connection to Setting Airfares
Southwest Airlines announced last month that it was raising ticket prices to offset the high cost of jet fuel. It was the airline's third increase this year.
The Dallas-based carrier, known as the most-consistently profitable airline, also announced that because of high fuel costs, it doesn't expect to post a profit in the just-ended quarter.
The carrier last year acquired Orlando-based AirTran, Atlanta's second-largest carrier. The merger is completed, but AirTran continues to operate under its own name and colors until planes are converted and regulatory approvals are in hand.
Southwest has already trimmed some less-profitable flights, and if fuel prices continue upward, more flights could be cut.
Copyright 2012 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
