Southwest Air CEO Expects to Add Routes

Southwest Airlines Co. will add new routes next year, reversing an earlier plan to suspend expansion following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Chief Executive James Parker said.

The Dallas-based carrier no plans to add new aircraft before April and hasn’t decided whether it will add new cities to its system, increase the number of existing daily flights or add new routes between cities next year, a Southwest spokesman said.

Southwest was the only major U.S. airline to not reduce capacity or lay off workers after the terrorist attacks.

Southwest shares rose 52 cents to close at $19.50 on the NYSE.