Southwest Airlines cuts capacity

Close to 200 flights to be cut in 2009

By Purchasing Staff -- Purchasing, 8/27/2008 11:05:00 AM

Low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines announced this week that it plans to cut close to 200 flights from its network in the first quarter next year, more than 5% of its total capacity. Southwest has been less affected by fuel costs than other carriers because of its fuel hedging strategy and the Wall Street Journal reports that Southwest is the only major U.S. carrier to earn a profit in the first half of the year and hasn't lost money in a quarter since early 1991.

"Systemwide, we typically adjust our flight schedules based on demand," company spokesman Chris Mainz told the Houston Chronicle. "These changes will apply to January through March, when we see some drop-off in travel and traffic."

The major cuts will be on flights originating from its hubs in Houston and Dallas.