A Southwest Airline worker fueled the plane.
From: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/29/business/29hedge.html
By: Jeff Bailey
Southwest Airlines was losing its dominance in the domestic airline industry this early year. However, the situation is changing and it is becoming the winner of the competition.
Southwest Airlines is also hurt by the increasing fuel prices, but others hurt more severe than it. What helps it win? Will it be the quality of service or the efficiency of work? The main reason for Southwest’s increasing advantage over other competitors is that it loaded up years ago on hedges against higher fuel prices. While other big airlines are trading oil above $90 a barrel, Southwest is not. It owns a long-term contract that allows it to buy most of its fuel through 2009 by $51 a barrel.
Thomas W. Horton, a financial officer said, “At American Airlines, annual fuel costs rise eighty million for every dollar increase in a barrel of oil.” Some airline companies try to raise their fares since they do not want to bankruptcy. However, when fares are raised, fewer customers will come to buy their tickets. Southwest Airlines use the “EXTRA” money to upgrade their computer systems to improve productivity and airline reliability.
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