The fourth-biggest US carrier in terms of passenger traffic, Dallas-based Southwest reported a record net profit of $2.2 billion in 2015 on the back of $19.8 billion in operating revenue. That continued its enviable track record of profits, marking its 43rd consecutive year in the black.
The airlines, through their Washington-based trade group, are now pursuing regulatory channels to ease what they call a “pilot shortage”, pushing a proposal that would modify a controversial 2013 rule that requires new pilots to have 1,500h of flight time.