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Fuel Hedging Southwest Airlines

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SOUTHWEST AIRLINES FUEL HEDGING AND RELATIONS TO PROFITABILITY

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Southwest Airlines Fuel Hedging and Relations to Profitability A Case Study in Cost-effective Fuel Management

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES FUEL HEDGING AND RELATIONS TO PROFITABILITY

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Abstract

In order to stay airborne, a passenger airline has to consistently generate profits. Profits come only from paying passengers, hence all stratagems must be customer oriented. In a scenario where there are many airlines competing with each other, one way of attracting passengers is to keep the cost of flying low, while providing value for money. On the other hand, expenses must tightly controlled to reach and stay at the lowest possible. Certain expenses are unavoidable; however, one variable that can be kept low through decisive planning and foresight is the cost of fuel, which, at best, can be called volatile. A good way to achieve this is by hedging fuel cost, which is a complex, but rewarding process, as Southwest Airlines proves beyond doubt.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES FUEL HEDGING AND RELATIONS TO PROFITABILITY

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Southwest Airlines Company: A Case Study in Managing the Cost of Aviation Fuel Introduction: Southwest Airlines Company, an American low-cost airline is the third largest airline in the world as well as the U.S.A. by the number of passenger aircraft among all of the world's commercial airlines (Arlene Fleming, About.com Guide; nationsonline.org), operating more than 540 Boeing 737 aircraft today between 67 cities in the U.S.A. (Southwest Airlines Fact Sheet of 2008). Today, Southwest operates approximately 3,300 flights daily and boasts of being the only major airline to post profits every year for the last thirty six years. It justifiably claims to be the United States’ most successful low-fare, high frequency, point-to-point carrier (southwest.com). Given the fact that it is a no-frills

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