Southwest Airlines Cargo Honored as Airline of the Year

Southwest Airlines Cargo wins top award for third consecutive year for excellence in air cargo delivery service

DALLAS—March 19, 2007—For the third straight year, Southwest Airlines Cargo was named "Airline of the Year" by the Express Delivery & Logistics Association (XLA). Southwest Airlines Cargo placed first in five categories: service, communications, web site and technology, overall value, and Federal Aviation Administration ontime performance.

"Excellence is our goal, and we strive for it each and every day," said Matt Buckley, Southwest’s Sr. Director of Cargo. "We appreciate that our efforts in providing dependability, flexibility, and accessibility was recognized by our Customers."

Southwest took top honors in 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006 and finished second in the ranking in 2001 and 2004. The XLA Award is based on an annual survey of association members who use the services of carriers for their express deliveries around the world.

At the March 13 event, Southwest Airlines’ Senior Manager of Cargo Sales, Wally Devereaux, was presented with the Jim Foster Memorial Award for Excellence. This is the highest honor bestowed by the Airforwarders Association and is named after the late Jim Foster, a founder and executive director of the Airforwarders Association.

"We are proud to present the 2007 award to Wally Devereaux of Southwest Airlines for his continued commitment, hard work and dedication in support of the airforwarding industry," said Brandon Fried, Executive Director, The Airforwarders Association.

The Jim Foster Award is designated to an individual or company who exhibits the professionalism and dedication to the airfreight industry that Jim had exemplified throughout his career. The annual recipient is elected by over 250 Airforwarders Association member companies on an annual basis.

"Wally represents the dedication and high standards of the more than 32,000 Employees of Southwest Airlines," says Buckley. “We are proud of his efforts on behalf of Southwest, and we are thrilled to see his hard work recognized by this honor."

Founded in 1976, XLA is a nonprofit association whose members include large firms with global delivery networks and smaller businesses with strong regional delivery networks. The association represents the interest of the air courier and express delivery industry by communicating positions to legislative and regulatory officials. In addition, they provide a forum for the exchange of information regarding trends and developments within the industry, and they promote the use of air courier and express services.

Southwest Airlines Cargo is recognized as an industry leader. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) currently serves 63 cities in 32 states, with its 64th city, San Francisco, opening fall 2007. Based in Dallas, Southwest operates more than 3,100 flights a day, has a fleet of 485 Boeing jets, and has more than 32,000 Employees systemwide. For more information, visit www.swacargo.com.