"Southwest Airlines Is Satisfied with Norfolk, Va., Airport"

Thursday, September 11, 2003

Southwest Airlines Is Satisfied with Norfolk, Va., Airport
The Virginian-Pilot


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.--Southwest Airline's president and chief operating
officer said the low-fare leader is satisfied with passenger counts at
Norfolk International Airport, but there are no immediate plans for
expansion here. 

"Our loads are great," Colleen Barrett said Wednesday following an
appearance before the Women's Review of The Central Business District
Association of Virginia Beach. "We're not disappointed." 

Southwest, considered the industry's most profitable airline, is known for
being cautious with new service and doesn't broadcast its future plans. 

Barrett said the Dallas-based airline would consider adding flights and
destinations if the planes out of Norfolk are routinely at least 70 percent
full, or if an airline pulls out of the market, leaving untapped demand. 

"If there's seats to be filled, we'll try to fill them," she said. 

Southwest started service out of Norfolk nearly two years ago and is now the
airport's third largest carrier. Southwest operates 12 daily nonstop flights
to Baltimore, Las Vegas, Orlando and Jacksonville, Fla. 

Barrett's not only pleased with Norfolk air travelers' response to
Southwest's service, but also with the recent expansion and renovation of
the airport. 

"I love what you've done with your airport," she said. "I thought I got off
at the wrong airport last night." 

During Barrett's remarks, she shared Southwest's legendary casual, friendly
and fun-loving culture. 

Barrett epitomizes the culture, speaking before 300 people with her gray
hair pulled back in a ponytail and wearing a denim dress and bowling-style
shoes with ankle socks. 

"We don't think going to work means taking your personality and putting it
over here and putting on a business coat of armor," Barrett said. 

She said Southwest is "fanatic" about hiring, often interviewing 50 to 60
people for a position. Taking the extra time to hire the right people "pays
a huge dividend to us in the long run." 

Once inside the company, Southwest is open to allowing employees to try
different jobs. She quipped, "I'm a walking example of that." 

Barrett started as a secretary in the law firm that helped to launch
Southwest more than 30 years ago and worked her way to the top. She has been
instrumental in creating a work environment that has been considered by many
as one of the best. 

Last year she was named one of the country's 50 most powerful women in
business by Fortune magazine. 

While other airlines have cut staffs and schedules -- and a couple have even
filed for bankruptcy -- since the terrorist attacks of two years ago today,
Southwest has avoided layoffs and added flights. 

Barrett said if the large carriers fail to "dramatically reduce their costs,
they will probably not be here in five to 10 years." She predicted there
will be more airline mergers and more bankruptcies in the coming years.


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