10-Dec-2009 1:31 PM
Southwest Airlines sees weak Business travel demand in 2010
Southwest Airlines stated it has seen little improvement in Business travel demand this Autumn and expects a similarly weak environment in 2010 (FOXBusiness, 09-Dec-2009). The carrier's capacity would be flat in 2010, with just one new destination to be added (Panama City, Fla). Southwest expects to report a profit excluding special items this year
Southwest Airlines: "Business travel still lags. I'm not expecting strong economic growth in 2010, and likewise I'm not expecting a rebound in business travel in 2010…We are raising fares. We are just trying to do that in a way that's positive to revenue and not negative", Gary Kelly, Chairman and CEO. Source: AP, 09-Dec-2009.