Following swirling media reports of a potential codeshare deal between Delta Air Lines and WestJet, Southwest has warned a potential codeshare agreement between the two carriers "could be inconsistent" with the agreement it has to codeshare with WestJet.
Southwest and WestJet unveiled their intentions to codeshare in 2008 and were targeting an introduction of the agreement in late 2009 or early 2010. But those plans were delayed largely due to technological projects underway at Southwest to develop the ability to forge codesharing agreements.
Today Southwest executive vice president of strategy and planning Bob Jordan said the "Southwest/WestJet project was on target in accordance with a mutually agreed upon timetable. However, WestJet in recent weeks requested material and significant changes we could not accept".
Just last month former WestJet CEO Sean Durfy, who officially stepped down today, said he and Southwest chief Gary Kelly were "committed to doing this [the codeshare] when Southwest is ready".
Comments made by Durfy's successor Gregg Saretsky to the local Canadian press have sparked speculation about a potential WestJet codeshare with Delta. The two carriers have entered into an agreement entailing Delta transferring five pairs of slots at LaGuardia airport to WestJet as part of a larger slot swap agreement between Delta and US Airways at LaGuardia and Washington National airports. Delta and US Airways are awaiting a decision by US regulators regarding their proposed swap.
Southwest introduced its own service at LaGuardia in June 2009 through the launch of five daily flights to Chicago Midway and three to Baltimore. The carrier has publicly stated its desire to expand at LaGuardia, but was effectively shut of the slot allocations at LaGuardia proposed by Delta and US Airways.
In addition to WestJet, Delta and US Airways are proposing to transfer five slot pairs each to AirTran and Spirit Airlines.
In issuing a tentative approval of an initial request by US Airways to transfer 125 Express slot pairs to Delta at LaGuardia and Delta transferring 42 slot pairs to US Airways at Washington National, US regulators requested the transfer of slots to new entrants or limited incumbents at the two airports.
Southwest, meanwhile, says it has not been notified of WestJet's intent to terminate their codeshare agreement. "If we are so notified in order for WestJet to consummate the deal with Delta, Southwest remains very interested in offering our loyal customers service to Canada via the most efficient means possible".
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
