EX-99.1 2 ex991-december2017.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 FORM 8K DECEMBER 2017 TRAFFIC RELEASE Exhibit


SOUTHWEST AIRLINES REPORTS DECEMBER TRAFFIC

DALLAS, TEXAS – January 9, 2018 – Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) (the "Company") today reported its December, fourth quarter, and total year 2017 preliminary traffic statistics.

The Company flew 10.7 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in December 2017, an increase of 2.6 percent from the 10.4 billion RPMs flown in December 2016. Available seat miles (ASMs) increased 1.8 percent to 12.9 billion in December 2017, compared with December 2016 ASMs of 12.6 billion. The December 2017 load factor was a record for the month of December at 83.3 percent, compared with 82.6 percent in December 2016. Based on these results, the Company continues to estimate its fourth quarter 2017 operating revenue per ASM (RASM) will increase in the one to two percent range, as compared with fourth 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. Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements related to the Company’s expected results of operations for fourth quarter 2017. These statements involve 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, the Company's customary quarterly close and review procedures and any resulting adjustments.

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

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

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Southwest Airlines Co.
Preliminary Comparative Traffic Statistics

DECEMBER
 
2017
 
2016
 
Change
Revenue passengers carried
11,077,369
 
10,561,159
 
4.9%
Enplaned passengers
13,344,173
 
12,845,248
 
3.9%
Revenue passenger miles (000s)
10,713,293
 
10,445,407
 
2.6%
Available seat miles (000s)
12,868,065
 
12,645,787
 
1.8%
Load factor
83.3%
 
82.6%
 
0.7 pts.
Average length of haul
967
 
989
 
(2.2)%
Trips flown
113,451
 
111,765
 
1.5%

FOURTH QUARTER
 
2017
 
2016
 
Change
Revenue passengers carried
33,695,001
 
32,006,767
 
5.3%
Enplaned passengers
40,428,884
 
38,779,938
 
4.3%
Revenue passenger miles (000s)
32,189,839
 
31,366,176
 
2.6%
Available seat miles (000s)
37,886,814
 
37,147,109
 
2.0%
Load factor
85.0%
 
84.4%
 
0.6 pts.
Average length of haul
955
 
980
 
(2.6)%
Trips flown
337,190
 
329,740
 
2.3%

TOTAL YEAR
 
2017
 
2016
 
Change
Revenue passengers carried
130,256,190
 
124,719,765
 
4.4%
Enplaned passengers
157,677,218
 
151,740,357
 
3.9%
Revenue passenger miles (000s)
129,041,420
 
124,797,986
 
3.4%
Available seat miles (000s)
153,811,072
 
148,522,051
 
3.6%
Load factor
83.9%
 
84.0%
 
(0.1) pts.
Average length of haul
991
 
1,001
 
(1.0)%
Trips flown
1,347,893
 
1,311,149
 
2.8%


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SW-T