Southwest Airlines passenger numbers up 8.6%, PRASM soars in Jan-2010

Southwest Airlines passenger numbers up 8.6% - traffic highlights in Jan-2010:

• Revenue passengers: 6.5 million, +8.6% year-on-year;
• Enplaned passengers: 7.6 million, +8.3%;
• Load factor: 72.1%, +9.3 ppts;
• Passenger revenue per ASM: +14-15%. [more] [more - SEC Filing]

CEO, Gary Kelly, expects the carrier's 2010 revenue to surpass 2009 and 2008 levels, following a strong rise in Southwest's Jan-2010 traffic (AP, 04-Jan-2010).