Southwest’s CEO Gary Kelly does not see an advantage of keeping AirTran’s 88 Boeing 717s

Southwest Airlines’ (Dallas) CEO Gary Kelly, according to this article by Flightglobal, told the attendees at the International Aviation Forecast Summit (hosted by the Boyd Group) that the Boeing 717 does not “bring any unique benefit that Southwest cannot get with the 737”.

Kelly stated to the audience, “the 717 is roughly the same size and offers close to same economics as the 737-500s the carrier operates”.

AirTran currently operates 88 Boeing 717-200s and was acquired by Southwest.

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Copyright Photo: Tony Storck. These special color schemes are likely to be one of the first casualties if the 717 fleet is downsized and later phased out. Click on the photo for additional information.