Southwest Airlines’ second quarter 2019 total operating revenues increased 2.9%, year-over-year, to an all-time quarterly record of US$5.9 billion, despite the negative revenue impacts as a result of flight schedule adjustments due to the MAX groundings. Second quarter 2019 net income was US$741 million compared with second quarter 2018 net income of US$733 million. Second quarter 2019 operating revenue per ASM (RASM, or unit revenues) increased 6.8%, year-over-year, driven largely by a passenger revenue yield increase of 4.2%, year-over-year, and a load factor increase of 1.7 points, year-over-year, to an all-time quarterly record of 86.4%.
Based on the most recent guidance from Boeing, Southwest currently estimates regulatory approval of MAX return to service during the fourth quarter 2019. Therefore the carrier will proactively extend the MAX-related flight schedule adjustments through January 5, 2020.
