Southwest Starts Offering International Flights

Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) said it began offering fares to international destinations Monday after years of delays as it struggled to integrate AirTran Airways.

Southwest, which calls itself the largest carrier of domestic passengers in the U.S., will fly to Aruba, the Bahamas and Jamaica starting July 1.

The airline planned to add a global reservations system by Amadeus IT Group SA to allow it to offer international flights this year, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

Southwest has been struggling to integrate AirTran since the merger in 2011, and eventually decided to keep flights on the AirTran network after failing to connect the carriers in its reservations system. The company plans to convert 11 AirTran planes to Southwest this year, and about another 60 next year, as well as eliminate some of AirTran's bag fees and assigned seating.

Southwest said it will complete the launch of its international airline services across 96 destinations in six countries by the end of this year.

Southwest has been attempting to launch international flights for years. Its latest struggle is seeking approval for a $100 million concourse to add 25 international flights a day to Houston's William P. Hobby Airport. United Continental Holdings Inc. (UAH), the world's largest airline by traffic, has objected to the plan.

Southwest shares fell 1.4% to $20.55 in recent trading but were up 80% in the past 12 months.

Write to Everdeen Mason at [e-mail]

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