EX-99.1 2 ex991-april2017.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 FORM 8K APRIL 2017 TRAFFIC RELEASE Exhibit




SOUTHWEST AIRLINES REPORTS APRIL TRAFFIC

DALLAS, TEXAS – May 8, 2017 – Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) (the "Company") today reported its April and year-to-date preliminary traffic statistics.

The Company flew 11.2 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in April 2017, an increase of 8.4 percent from the 10.4 billion RPMs flown in April 2016. Available seat miles (ASMs) increased 7.6 percent to 13.4 billion in April 2017, compared with April 2016 ASMs of 12.4 billion. The April 2017 load factor was a record for the month of April at 84.0 percent, compared with 83.4 percent in April 2016. Based on these results and current trends, the Company continues to expect its second quarter 2017 operating revenue per ASM (RASM) to increase in the one to two percent range, as compared with second quarter 2016.

This release, as well as past news releases about Southwest Airlines Co., is available online at Southwest.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements related to the Company's financial outlook and projected results of operations. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current intent, expectations, and projections and are not guarantees of future performance. These statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by them. Factors include, among others, (i) changes in demand for the Company's services and other changes in consumer behavior; (ii) the impact of economic conditions, fuel prices, actions of competitors, and other factors beyond the Company's control, on the Company's business; (iii) the Company's ability to timely and effectively implement, transition, and maintain the necessary information technology systems and infrastructure to support its operations and initiatives; (iv) the impact of governmental regulations and other governmental actions related to the Company's operations; (v) the Company’s dependence on third parties; (vi) the impact of labor matters on the Company's business; and (vii) other factors, as described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the detailed factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

Investor Contact:
Southwest Airlines Investor Relations
214-792-4415

Media Contact:
Southwest Airlines Media Relations
214-792-4847
www.southwestairlinesinvestorrelations.com
/more





Southwest Airlines Co.
Preliminary Comparative Traffic Statistics

APRIL
 
2017
 
2016
 
Change
Revenue passengers carried
11,094,102
 
10,340,882
 
7.3%
Enplaned passengers
13,460,665
 
12,606,212
 
6.8%
Revenue passenger miles (000s)
11,230,367
 
10,358,780
 
8.4%
Available seat miles (000s)
13,369,826
 
12,425,733
 
7.6%
Load factor
84.0%
 
83.4%
 
0.6 pts.
Average length of haul
1,012
 
1,002
 
1.0%
Trips flown
114,525
 
109,219
 
4.9%

YEAR-TO-DATE
 
2017
 
2016
 
Change
Revenue passengers carried
40,632,892
 
38,944,361
 
4.3%
Enplaned passengers
49,039,015
 
47,234,653
 
3.8%
Revenue passenger miles (000s)
40,571,025
 
38,766,944
 
4.7%
Available seat miles (000s)
50,069,696
 
47,693,882
 
5.0%
Load factor
81.0%
 
81.3%
 
(0.3) pts.
Average length of haul
998
 
995
 
0.3%
Trips flown
436,315
 
423,756
 
3.0%

 
***













SW-T