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Southwest executives have confirmed that it plans to operate AirTran's 86 Boeing 717s once its acquisition of AirTran closes and the Atlanta-hubbed carrier is folded into the Southwest brand.
Southwest today unveiled plans to acquire AirTran through a combination of cash and common stock.
Both carriers operate the 737-700, and Southwest is evaluating adding the larger -800 to its fleet. Southwest also operates 737-300s/500s.
During a call with media to discuss the acquisition Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said the carrier has decided it wants to keep and operate the 717, and will operate the smaller aircraft in a single 117-seat configuration. Currently AirTran operates its 117-seat 717s in a dual class offering.
Kelly acknowledges the addition of the 717 requires a different type crew rating and establishing how the aircraft is scheduled into operations. But he believes the 86 aircraft offer enough scale and says Southwest has the ability to incorporate the aircraft into its fleet cost effectively.
"Our pilots have looked at it [the 717] and like it," Kelly states. The aircraft will also allow Southwest to operate in markets too small to support its 737 fleet.
Southwest's chief says the carrier is not prepared to make a decision on adding the larger -800 to its fleet. "We hope to make a decision soon," he says. Previously Southwest indicated it would decide on adding -800s in December and has negotiated a tentative deal with its flight attendants to operate the aircraft.
Commenting on the impetus to acquire AirTran Kelly states that after a tumultuous last couple of years in 2010 Southwest is finally comfortably profitable enough to strategically think about its future by examining its technology, fleet and possible acquisitions. Today he revealed Southwest also plans to replace its reservation system.
| | Southwest Acquisition of AirTran will lead to 737-800 Order Ernest Arvai | September 27, 2010 at 10:36 am | URL: http://wp.me/pYdBy-75 |
Well, Dow Jones on Thursday quoted Southwest Airlines Chief Executive Gary Kelly saying he wants Boeing to re-engine the 737 and saying the issue might lead the all-737 airline to look at other options. Kelly also said he was "skeptical" about Boeing's talk of replacing the 737 around 2020
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DALLAS, Texas (Dow Jones)--Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) Chief Executive Gary Kelly said he wants Boeing Co. (BA) to re-engine the 737 for better fuel efficiency, voicing skepticism Boeing will produce a timely replacement for the workhorse aircraft. ...
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Southwest Airlines said Tuesday it is this week commencing Required Navigation Performance procedures for approaches at 11 airports, asserting that "these new efficient flight procedures and enhanced avionics" will save the LCC $16 million annually.
It added that full implementation of RNP at all airports SWA serves would lead to more than $60 million in reduced costs annually. SWA in 2008 announced at Air Transport World's Eco-Aviation conference that it would invest $175 million to implement RNP fleet wide, and previously operated a demonstration roundtrip between Dallas Love Field and Houston Hobby using RNP (ATWOnline, March 18, 2009). It has modified more than 444 aircraft with GPS and RNP software, including transitioning 343 737NGs from EFIS to PFD/ND, and completed over 30,000 pilot training events (ATWOnline, June 25, 2010).
"RNP sets the stage for Southwest to continue doing its part to conserve fuel, improve safety, and reduce carbon emissions and greenhouse gases, while simultaneously taking advantage of the high-performance characteristics that exist in an airline's fleet," VP-Operations Coordination Center Jeff Martin said.
The airports at which SWA is inaugurating RNP are Amarillo, Birmingham, Boise, Corpus Christi, Los Angeles, Chicago Midway, Oakland, Oklahoma City, West Palm Beach, Raleigh-Durham and San Jose. The Dallas-based airline said in a statement that implementing RNP procedures marks the "culmination of a four-year project with partners Boeing, GE and Honeywell. RNP is satellite-based navigation that brings together the accuracy of GPS, the capabilities of advanced aircraft avionics and new flight procedures."
VP and COO Mike Van de Ven added, "This milestone culminates substantial efforts by our company working with the FAA to position Southwest as a leading participant in a modernized air traffic control system."
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par Poncho (Admin) Lun 27 Sep 2010 - 13:52