Southwest Airlines March Load Factor Rises

Southwest Airlines Co LUV said its load factor in March rose by 10 basis points to 84.6 percent from 84.5 percent in the year-ago month. The company indicated there would not be any change in its estimation of operating revenue per available seat miles (ASM) for the first quarter, which would be in line with the previous year quarter.

Southwest Airlines flew 10.9 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in March representing a growth of 6.2 percent from 10.2 billion RPMs recorded in March last year, according to the company. The low-cost airliner said that its ASM advanced 6.1 percent to 12.9 billion in March from 12.1 billion in the comparable period.

The March figure assumes importance as the company is scheduled to announce its quarterly numbers on April 21.