Dallas (1080 KRLD) - Southwest Airlines has reported a profit in the second quarter.
The Dallas-based airline calls it a "major milestone," after it posted a loss in the second quarter last year at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Net income reached $348 million, after reporting a loss in the same period a year earlier.
"It's obvious that people want to get out there and travel," Southwest CEO Gary Kelly tells KRLD news. "If you look forward to the third quarter, our capacity is going to be in line with what it was pre-pandemic for a third quarter."
Southwest said Thursday it had a profit of 57 cents per share; while losses, adjusted for non-recurring gains, were 35 cents per share.
Kelly says it's a sign that things at Southwest are getting back to normal.
"Right now, our bookings look very strong, and July will be better than June," Kelly says. "And the implication is that August (and) September will continue on those trends."
Kelly says the airline is working to restore service to the level it was at prior to the pandemic.
"We've got a number of airplanes scheduled for delivery in 2022," says Kelly, "and those will be used to restore flights to our pre-COVID route network where we made cuts."
Kelly says the airline is working to get its staffing back to the level it once was at, and beyond.
"We'll have all of our folks recalled from voluntary leaves here in the third quarter, or at least the vast majority. But now to continue to grow the airline, we're going to need to hire people."
Kelly says the rate that Southwest will be able to make those hires will dictate the rate that flights are added back onto its schedule.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow NewsRadio 1080 KRLD
