Southwest Airlines saw its strongest revenue growth in 18 months during the first quarter, despite a problem-filled start to 2019.The Dallas-based carrier said its operating revenue rose 4.1% in the three-month period to a record $5.1 billion, even though it had to ground an industry-high number of 737 Max 8 jets in its all-Boeing fleet and cancel around 10,000 flights because of severe weather and a mechanics union contract dispute.Southwest's quarterly profit did take a hit, falling 16% to $387 million. But the airline had been warning Wall Street for weeks that canceled flights, a partial government shutdown and soft demand among leisure travelers would erase $150 million from its net income. Continue reading...
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