Southwest flew 6.5 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in April 2009, a 4.1 percent increase from the 6.3 billion RPMs flown in April 2008. Available seat miles (ASMs) decreased 1.9 percent to 8.5 billion from the April 2008 level of 8.6 billion. The load factor for the month was 77.0 percent, compared to 72.6 percent for the same period last year. In April 2009, our average length of haul was 863 miles, and we flew 96,457 trips.
Flight Schedule Optimization
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With the release of our August – October flight schedule, our Schedule Planning Department has optimized this schedule in line with our new business strategy. We are adding new markets, including our newest city BOS, while eliminating unproductive flights. Simply put, we are redeploying our aircraft where we can generate the most revenue and satisfy the greatest Customer demand.
For this new schedule, Southwest is reducing the overall number of flights in response to decreased Customer demand. WTFO. The August – October timeframe is traditionally among the slowest travel times of the year, and we must match supply with demand. This schedule includes a total of 3,210 daily flights on 513 aircraft. This is a reduction of 136 daily flights (68 roundtrips) compared to the schedule that runs through August 14. For comparison purposes, this new August – October schedule has 72 fewer flights per day than the January 2009 schedule.
[/FONT][/FONT]SWA INTERNAL For this new schedule, Southwest is reducing the overall number of flights in response to decreased Customer demand. WTFO. The August – October timeframe is traditionally among the slowest travel times of the year, and we must match supply with demand. This schedule includes a total of 3,210 daily flights on 513 aircraft. This is a reduction of 136 daily flights (68 roundtrips) compared to the schedule that runs through August 14. For comparison purposes, this new August – October schedule has 72 fewer flights per day than the January 2009 schedule.
