But Southwest said it operated 98 percent of its flights yesterday and nearly all were on time.

Southwest said last week that it expected similar results this quarter.

Southwest also said that its online passenger revenue was up 140 percent, to more than $250 million, in the fourth quarter of 1999.

After six months, Southwest said they needed more gates.

Southwest said roughly half of its offer would pay for the six Midway gates.

Southwest and Morris said they hoped to close the deal by the end of the month.

Southwest says it intends to do no such thing.

"Southwest," he said, and glanced at me for a second.

For 2004, Southwest said it earned $313 million, down from $442 million in 2003.

Southwest said it had replaced the cable on several of its aircraft.