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Southwest Airlines raises fourth-quarter system revenue forecast on travel demand uptick

Southwest Airlines on Thursday raised its projection for fourthquarter earnings per available seat miles, taking advantage of enhanced prices and a rebound in domestic travel demand.

Shares of the budget provider increased about 2.5% before the bell.

Travel need has actually seen a lift from the holiday season and after the U.S. governmental election.

Southwest said it was motivated by current revenue trends and forward bookings, and anticipates these to carry into 2025.

On Monday, the U.S. Transport Security Administration said it evaluated the highest number of airlines passengers ever on a single day at 3.08 million.

The provider, however, has struggled to find its footing after the pandemic, in part due to Boeing's aircraft shipment delays and industry-wide overcapacity in the domestic market.

That triggered it to make a series of efforts over the past year to assist revitalize demand, including partnerships, seats with more leg space for consumers and airplane sale leasebacks.

In October, the provider revealed it reached a handle activist Elliott to put an end to a bitter months-long conference room fight.

Southwest on Thursday included that it continues to see about 20 Boeing 737-8 jet shipments this year, and expects to retire approximately 40 older 737 models from its fleet.

The carrier now expects its fourth-quarter RASM, a proxy for pricing power, to be up in between 5.5% and 7%, compared to its prior expectation of in between 3.5% and 5.5%.

It likewise anticipates its financial fuel costs per gallon for the existing quarter to fall in a range of $2.35 to $2.45, up from its previous assistance of $2.25 and $2.35.

(source: Reuters)