Southwest tonnage boost since Atlanta cargo facility February opening

DALLAS-based Southwest Airlines has topped 2.5 million pounds within six months since its merger with Atlanta-based AirTran and its opening of a cargo facility at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport back in February.

Southwest's performance has been supported by the Atlanta airport and its team including its aviation general manager Louis Miller, said Southwest' sales and marketing chief Wally Devereaux.

"Atlanta [airport] definitely has an infrastructure that is conducive to cargo carriers being successful," Mr Devereaux said following its launch of direct non-stop services to Washington, DC, Chicago, Denver, Houston and Austin Texas in March. It also launched its direct to Los Angeles in June this year and two months later its service to Louisville.

Growth in its belly holds has been mainline bulk shipments of apparel, printed material and electronic equipment which it expects to continue an upward trajectory in volumes, reported Georgia's Air Cargo World News. Since July, it has offered OnAsset tracking to support customers further.