Southwest Airlines focussed on four objectives in 2015: CFO

Southwest Airlines CEO and president Gary Kelly stated (10-Nov-2014) 2014 was a historic year, and has gone "pretty much as planned." CFO Tammy Romo said Southwest is focussed on four objectives in 2015, including high quality growth opportunities, continued revenue momentum, low cost leader, and a superior financial position. The carrier's expected available seat mile growth in 2015 is driven by more efficient flying of our existing fleet through increased gauge and stage length with a modest increase in trips, according to Ms Romo, who also noted the majority of 2015 ASM's year-over-year growth is funded through integration-related tailwinds. Ms Romo said Southwest's 2015 growth is targeted on compelling, high quality opportunities, with its development markets expected to "ramp up quickly." The carrier's revenue momentum from 2014 is expected to continue through 2015, as is margin expansion, stated Ms Romo, who added Southwest expects continued fuel burn improvement in 2015. xcluding fuel & oil, profitsharing, and special items, 2015 CASM is currently expected to decline 1% to 2%, as compared to 2014. Ms Romo noted, "We have increased our ROIC to WACC spread, while aggressively managing our invested capital." The carrier's 2015 pre-tax ROIC is also expected to match 2014's pre-tax ROIC. [more - original PR]