Southwest Airlines Co.

Paper Summary:

This paper begins by providing brief background information about Southwest Airlines Co and notes that it continues to have one of the lowest operating cost structures in the domestic airline industry and consistently offers the lowest and simplest fares. The paper then presents an assessment of Southwest Airline's financial performance, which includes a discussion on the most important factors affecting the company's current performance. The paper also includes suggestions for financial strategies over the next five years.

Table of Contents:
Assessment of 2006 Financial Performance
Table: Operating Revenues
Table: Operating Expenses
Table: Other Income (Expenses), Net
Overall Assessment on Financial Performance
Most Important Factors Affecting the Company's Current Performance
Attracting Customers
Managing Its Fleet
Managing People
Managing Its Finances
Suggested Financial Strategies for the Next Five Years
Revenue Initiatives: Win More Business Customers
Manage Interest Expense
Fuel Hedging
Expansion: Enter New Markets
Continuing Productivity Development
Innovation: Advances in Technology

From the Paper:

"Total revenues increased as revenue passengers carried increased due to new two destinations opened during 2006, the Denver and Washington Dulles and due to the passage of the Wright Amendment Reform Act in October 2006. Also average passenger fare increased from $93.68 in 2005 to $104.40 in 2006 to meet continues increase in jet fuel cost and to utilize increased demand on air travel as a result of the industry wide domestic capacity reductions."

Sample of Sources Used:

• 2006 SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO. ANNUAL REPORT
• 2005 SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO. ANNUAL REPORT
• http://gbr.pepperdine.edu/064/airlines.html
• http://marge.uvm.edu/jmoy/Southwest%20Airlines.htm
• http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/07/19/bloomberg/bxair.php

More papers on Southwest Airlines Co.:

• Term Paper # 91601 : "Strategic Management of Southwest Airlines Co."
• Research Paper # 94627 : "Effective Leadership: Southwest Airlines"
• Term Paper # 125192 : "Southwest Airlines' Control Mechanisms"

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