DALLAS, Jan. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) (the "Company") today reported its December, fourth quarter, and total year preliminary traffic statistics. The Company flew 10.0 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in December 2015, an increase of 8.6 percent from the 9.2 billion RPMs flown in December 2014. Available seat miles (ASMs) increased 8.3 percent to 12.1 billion in December 2015, compared with December 2014 ASMs of 11.2 billion. The December 2015 load factor was a record for the month of December at 83.0 percent, compared with 82.7 percent in December 2014.
For fourth quarter 2015, the Company flew 29.7 billion RPMs, an increase of 11.1 percent from the 26.8 billion RPMs flown in fourth quarter 2014. Fourth quarter 2015 ASMs increased 8.4 percent to 35.4 billion, compared with fourth quarter 2014 ASMs of 32.6 billion. The fourth quarter 2015 load factor was a fourth quarter record at 84.0 percent, compared with 82.0 percent in fourth quarter 2014. The Company continues to estimate its fourth quarter 2015 operating revenue per ASM (RASM) will be approximately flat to down 1.0 percent, compared with fourth quarter 2014.
For 2015, the Company flew 117.5 billion RPMs, an increase of 8.8 percent from the 108.0 billion RPMs flown in 2014. For 2015, ASMs increased 7.3 percent to 140.5 billion, compared with 131.0 billion in 2014. The 2015 load factor was an annual record at 83.6 percent, compared with 82.5 percent in 2014.
This release, as well as past news releases about Southwest Airlines Co., is available online at Southwest.com.
Southwest Airlines Co. Preliminary Comparative Traffic Statistics DECEMBER -------- 2015 2014 Change ---- ---- ------ Revenue passengers carried 10,105,907 9,594,370 5.3% Enplaned passengers 12,371,034 11,666,424 6.0% Revenue passenger miles (000s) 10,020,969 9,224,382 8.6% Available seat miles (000s) 12,072,508 11,151,720 8.3% Load factor 83.0% 82.7% 0.3 pts. Average length of haul 992 961 3.2% Trips flown 108,208 104,550 3.5% FOURTH QUARTER -------------- 2015 2014 Change ---- ---- ------ Revenue passengers carried 30,368,454 27,894,107 8.9% Enplaned passengers 37,039,737 34,065,219 8.7% Revenue passenger miles (000s) 29,727,972 26,767,655 11.1% Available seat miles (000s) 35,378,679 32,647,338 8.4% Load factor 84.0% 82.0% 2.0 pts. Average length of haul 979 960 2.0% Trips flown 319,178 309,271 3.2% TOTAL YEAR ---------- 2015 2014 Change ---- ---- ------ Revenue passengers carried 118,171,211 110,496,912 6.9% Enplaned passengers 144,574,882 135,767,188 6.5% Revenue passenger miles (000s) 117,499,879 108,035,133 8.8% Available seat miles (000s) 140,512,514 131,003,957 7.3% Load factor 83.6% 82.5% 1.1 pts. Average length of haul 994 978 1.6% Trips flown 1,267,358 1,255,502 0.9%
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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.