Southwest Airlines may start to expand fleet in 2013

Southwest Airlines announced it may start to expand its fleet again in 2013 with the carrier's most likely choice being B737-800s (Bloomberg, 28-Mar-2011). Southwest reportedly put the brakes on fleet growth in 2009 as travel demand fell, reversing a tradition of annual expansion. CEO Gary Kelly stated the carrier is attempting to restore profitability to the point "where it is financially justified to commit to buying aircraft". According to Ascend, Southwest has the following aircraft in storage:

• 1 x B737 (CFMI)-300, CFM International CFM56, owned by Southwest
• 1 x B737 (NG)-700 Winglets, CFM International CFM56, owned by Air Lease Corporation
• 1 x B737 (NG)-700 Winglets, CFM International CFM56, owned by Aviation Capital Group
• 1 x B737 (NG)-700 Winglets, CFM International CFM56, owned by Southwest