Overall, net income for Southwest (including special items) reached $152 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, an 16 percent, year-over-year, jump. However, this number belies the carrier’s net income for the year, which totaled $178 million, compared to $459 million in 2010.
Southwest’s costs also rose considerably in 2011, due to its May acquisition of AirTran Airways. According to a press release issued by the carrier, “unfavorable special items” in 2011 totaled $152 million; in 2010, this figure was only $91 million.
Rising fuel prices also contributed to this phenomenon, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly explained. “While it’s always disappointing to report a year-over-year decline in profits (excluding special items), the fourth quarter and full-year declines were primarily caused by significantly higher fuel prices,” he said in a statement.
“Our fourth-quarter economic fuel costs per gallon increased 33.7 percent to $3.29, compared to our combined fuel costs of $2.46 per gallon in the fourth quarter last year,” Kelly continued.
2012 is expected to see similar prices, he said. “Based on market prices as of January 13, our first-quarter 2012 economic fuel costs, including fuel taxes, are estimated to be approximately $3.35 per gallon, compared to our combined economic fuel costs, including fuel taxes, of $2.95 per gallon in the first quarter of last year,” Kelly said in a statement.
Sky-high fuel prices or not, Southwest’s operations are likely to receive a boost in February when the carrier opens its 26,000-square-foot cargo facility at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to coincide with its initiation of passenger service to Atlanta. Southwest will also take delivery of 33 Boeing 737-800 series aircraft this year.
Overall, net income for Southwest (including special items) reached $152 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, an 16 percent, year-over-year, jump. However, this number belies the carrier’s net income for the year, which totaled $178 million, compared to $459 million in 2010.
Southwest’s costs also rose considerably in 2011, due to its May acquisition of AirTran Airways. According to a press release issued by the carrier, “unfavorable special items” in 2011 totaled $152 million; in 2010, this figure was only $91 million.
Rising fuel prices also contributed to this phenomenon, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly explained. “While it’s always disappointing to report a year-over-year decline in profits (excluding special items), the fourth quarter and full-year declines were primarily caused by significantly higher fuel prices,” he said in a statement.
“Our fourth-quarter economic fuel costs per gallon increased 33.7 percent to $3.29, compared to our combined fuel costs of $2.46 per gallon in the fourth quarter last year,” Kelly continued.
2012 is expected to see similar prices, he said. “Based on market prices as of January 13, our first-quarter 2012 economic fuel costs, including fuel taxes, are estimated to be approximately $3.35 per gallon, compared to our combined economic fuel costs, including fuel taxes, of $2.95 per gallon in the first quarter of last year,” Kelly said in a statement.
Sky-high fuel prices or not, Southwest’s operations are likely to receive a boost in February when the carrier opens its 26,000-square-foot cargo facility at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to coincide with its initiation of passenger service to Atlanta. Southwest will also take delivery of 33 Boeing 737-800 series aircraft this year.