Southwest Airlines planning ‘radical changes’ at AirTran

Southwest Airlines plans “radical changes” at AirTran Airways, the low-cost airline it acquired in May.

Gary Kelly, chief executive at the Dallas-based carrier, said: “I think we can improve the profitability and so absolutely you are going to see a different offering there.”

In remarks following an address at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Kelly added: “I think we are going to make some radical changes to the AirTran flight schedule.

“We can improve the schedule. I think we can improve the fares.”

Southwest Airlines is the largest airline in the low-cost sector in the world. The carrier paid $1.4 billion for AirTran earlier this year.

Following the purchase, Southwest hops to expand in United States east coast markets, building a presence in New York, Washington and Atlanta.

Southwest celebrated its 40th anniversary in June.

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