11 months ago
DALLAS (AP) -- Southwest Airlines will eliminate nearly 200 flights early next year as it struggles with high fuel costs and a weakening economy.
That is nearly 6 percent of the airline's daily schedule of close to 3,400 flights.
The move raises doubts about the company's publicly stated goal of growing modestly in 2009 despite the airline industry's troubles.
Southwest spokesman Chris Mainz said Tuesday that some of the eliminated flights, which span Southwest's nationwide network, could be restored later in 2009. Late winter is usually a slow travel period.
The airline will add six new flights; round trips between Phoenix and Burbank, Calif., Las Vegas and Orange County, Calif., and Baltimore and Orlando, Fla.
The reduction of nearly 6 percent is still far smaller than cutbacks at other U.S. airlines.
Written By: Associated Press
