WestJet, Southwest Hold Back Codesharing Due to Economy

WestJet Airlines said Southwest Airlines’ progress on the implementation of the code-share program will be delayed. With the recessionary revenue environment, Southwest has decided to re-direct a portion of its resources dedicated to the code-share project towards other near-term revenue opportunities, according to a WestJet press release.

“In response to the current economic environment, Southwest is focusing its immediate attention on several critical objectives, including increasing our revenues,” said Bob Jordan, Southwest Airline’s executive vice president, strategy and planning.

“While I am very excited about working to deliver new incremental revenue opportunities for 2009, it will have an impact on our timing for codeshare delivery. We remain absolutely committed to our partnership with WestJet, and to codesharing in general, and will do all we can to minimize the impact on our previously stated code-share plans,” he added.