Southwest Revenue Rises Despite Traffic Dip

Southwest Airlines Co. says a key revenue measure rose 2 percent in February despite a dip in traffic.

Dallas-based Southwest, which also operates AirTran Airways, said traffic on the two carriers fell 2.3 percent last month compared with a year ago. Southwest on Thursday reported passengers flew a total of 7.06 billion miles.

Passenger revenue for each seat flying one mile increased over February 2012. That's a measure of pricing power in the airline industry.

Southwest doesn't disclose average fares on a monthly basis, but it reported recently that the average fare in the fourth quarter of 2012 rose 5.4 percent from a year earlier, to $148.02 each way. Airlines raised fares several times in 2011 and 2012 -- partly to offset high fuel costs.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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