"At some point, I think we'll probably acquire somebody," said Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly.
In a recent discussion with the newspaper Dallas Morning News, Kelly says that his airline would jump into the consolidation fun. Several years ago in 2004, Southwest invested in bankrupt carrier, ATA, which gave the carrier some good experience in the area. Also when the carrier acquired Morris Air and Muse Air in the late 80's and early 90's, Southwest faced some of the difficulties in combining work forces and fleets.
So the carrier knows how difficult a merger or takeover would be.
Southwest recently slowed their 2008 growth estimates due to high fuel prices and the slowing economy. Kelly does not believe that the industry is set up for a slow down in the economy. He points to high fuel prices as one reason the industry might not be prepared enough.
If you want to read the rest of the very interesting interview with CEO of Southwest Airlines Gary Kelly, check out Dallas Morning News' website.
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