SOUTHWEST AIRLINES has continued to be the only major US carrier to make profits and grow. Publishing its quarterly results last Thursday the airline gave a figure of profit on $74.9m, substantially down from the $151m of the same period last year. It is unable to say whether it will make a profit in the final quarter due to uncertainties of the market. In the meantime it is pressing on with its expansion and plans to take 23 Boeing 737 jets in 2002 and 17 in 2003. From the period from 2004 to 2012, Southwest said it has orders, options and purchase rights for 396 aircraft. The current fleet stands at around 370 Boeing 737 aircraft, with the largest capacity 137 passengers.
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