Prepared By R.R. Donnelley Financial -- Form 8-K
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 8-K
 
Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  01/08/2009
 
Southwest Airlines Co.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Commission File Number:  1-7259
 
Texas
  
74-1563240
(State or other jurisdiction of
  
(IRS Employer
incorporation)
  
Identification No.)
 
P.O. Box 36611, Dallas, Texas 75235-1611
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
 
(214) 792-4000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
[  ]   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[  ]   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ]   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[  ]   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 

 
Item 2.03.    Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant
 
On January 8, 2009, the Company closed the second tranche of a two tranche sale and leaseback transaction with a third party aircraft lessor for the sale and leaseback of ten of the Company's Boeing 737-700 aircraft. Under the second tranche, the Company sold five of its Boeing 737-700 aircraft for a total of approximately $175 million and immediately leased the aircraft back for sixteen years. Under the terms of the lease agreements, the Company will continue to operate and maintain the aircraft. The Company will make monthly payments aggregating approximately $7.6 million for these aircraft for the first six months of the leases, which payments are based on the six-month LIBOR rate as of January 5, 2009. Payments under the lease agreements will be reset every six months based on changes in the six-month LIBOR rate. The lease agreements contain standard termination events, including termination upon a breach of the Company's obligations to make rental payments and upon any other material breach of the Company's obligations under the leases, and standard maintenance and return condition provisions. Upon a termination of the lease upon a breach by the Company, the Company would be liable for standard contractual damages, possibly including damages suffered by the lessor in connection with remarketing the aircraft or while the aircraft is not leased to another party.
 

 

Signature(s)
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
      
 
Southwest Airlines Co.
 
 
Date: January 14, 2009
     
By:
 
/s/    Laura Wright
               
Laura Wright
               
Senior Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer