Southwest Airlines Co. Reports Traffic Results for the Month, Fourth Quarter and Full Year of December 2015; Provides Operating Revenue Guidance for the Fourth Quarter of 2015
For fourth quarter 2015, the Company flew 29.7 billion RPMs, an increase of 11.1% from the 26.8 billion RPMs flown in fourth quarter 2014. Fourth quarter 2015 ASMs increased 8.4% 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%, compared with 82.0% in fourth quarter 2014.
For 2015, the Company flew 117.5 billion RPMs, an increase of 8.8% from the 108.0 billion RPMs flown in 2014. For 2015, ASMs increased 7.3% to 140.5 billion, compared with 131.0 billion in 2014. The 2015 load factor was an annual record at 83.6%, compared with 82.5% in 2014.
The company continues to estimate its fourth quarter 2015 operating revenue per ASM (RASM) will be approximately flat to down 1.0%, compared with fourth quarter 2014.