World Low Cost Airlines Congress: Southwest Airlines scoop three top industry awards

Wed. September 24, 2008; Posted: 06:18 AM

London,UK, Sep 24, 2008 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- LUV | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Tonight Herb Kelleher, Founder of Southwest Airlines collected three top prizes in front of 300 of his peers at the Budgies World Low Cost Airlines Awards.

The Budgies World Low Cost Airline Awards form one of the highlights of the World Low Cost Airlines Congress organised by Terrapinn. Seeking to reward excellence in the low cost aviation industry, the awards were judged by renowned and well respected industry consultants.

Winning both the Best Low Cost Airline Americas and Best Low Cost Airline categories, Herb then went on to accept a lifetime achievement award from Andy Harrison, CEO, EasyJet.

Commenting on his lifetime achievement award Herb said: "Low cost airlines have brought the Freedom to Fly to people across the globe, thereby immeasurably enriching their business and personal lives. I am proud to be part of the low cost carrier revolution and grateful to my peers for this cherished award, which is really a tribute to the marvellous People of Southwest Airlines and their accomplishments over the past 37 years. Our People are the true recipients-I am simply their surrogate."

Herb Kelleher is a Founder of Southwest Airlines Co. and currently serves as its Executive Chairman, a position he has held since March 1978. From September 1981 through June 2001, Herb also served as President and CEO of Southwest Airlines.

Southwest commenced service with three airplanes in 1971 and today operates a fleet of 513 airplanes performing over 3,300 flights per day. Southwest has been profitable for 34 consecutive years and has never furloughed an Employee. The Fall 2002 edition of Money magazine revealed that, during the 30-year period 1972-2002, Southwest produced the highest return to shareholders of any company included in the S&P 500 during that 30-year period: $10,000 invested in Southwest in 1972 was worth $10,200,000 in 2002 (an average increase of 25.99% per year).

About the World Low Cost Airlines Congress

Now in it's fifth year, The World Low Cost Airlines Congress is where the world's low cost carriers meet to learn from each other, where flag carriers and charter carriers come to learn from low cost and where the industry that supplies them comes to do business. www.lowcostairlinesworld.com

Lifetime Achievement Award: WINNER: Herb Kelleher, Founder and Executive Chairman, Southwest Airlines

Presented by Andy Harrison, Chief Executive Officer, EasyJet

Accepted by Herb Kelleher, Founder and Executive Chairman, Southwest Airlines

Best Low Cost Airline Award:

WINNER: Southwest Airlines