Southwest Airlines reports third quarter profit of $382m

Southwest Airlines reported third quarter net income, excluding special items, of $382m, compared to third quarter 2013 net income, excluding special items, of $241m. This represented a 61.8% increase from third quarter 2013, and exceeded the First Call consensus estimate of $.53 per diluted share. Third quarter net income of $329m, which included $53m (net) of unfavorable special items, compared to third quarter 2013 net income of $259m, which included $18m (net) of favorable special items. Third quarter operating income of $614m. Excluding special items, third quarter operating income of $649m.