By Bill Zeeble, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-946913.mp3
Dallas, TX – Dallas's own Southwest Airlines turned a profit in the 4th quarter and also made money for the 38th consecutive year. KERA's Bill Zeeble has more.
The airline that carries more domestic passengers than any other made $131 million in the 4th quarter, up nearly 15 percent over last year.
It beat - slightly - analysts' estimates. For the year, Southwest made $459 million. CEO Gary Kelly says the company emerged from the worst decade in aviation history without furloughs or degradation of the customer experience. He also called Southwest's 38th consecutive year of profitability a tremendous feat unmatched in the aviation industry.
The company is also growing, having purchased Air Tran, which flies some international routes. Otherwise, Kelly says the carrier won't expand until profit targets are met. High fuel prices could stand in the way of that, just as they're impacting the entire industry.