Southwest Airlines joins IATA data-sharing initiative to boost industry planning

Southwest Airlines has joined the International Air Transport Association Schedule Data Exchange Program (SDEP), expanding the initiative to 190 participating airlines.

Launched in 2023, the SDEP is designed to create a shared, airline-owned database of flight schedules and minimum connection times, supporting key functions such as network planning, slot coordination and interline agreements.

Growing global coverage

The programme now covers more than 70% of available seat kilometres (ASKs) across airlines in Asia, the Middle East and Africa, with global coverage expected to reach 90% by the end of 2026.

Under its “give-to-get” model, participating airlines contribute their own schedule data in exchange for access to a richer, consolidated dataset. This includes detailed information on flight timings, aircraft types, cabin configurations and cargo capacity, enabling more advanced analytics and planning.

Focus on control and security

IATA said the initiative is structured to ensure that airlines retain control over their data, with governance handled by participating carriers and strict compliance with competition and data protection rules.

Senior IATA executive Frederic Leger described Southwest’s participation as a significant step in strengthening the value of the database, while Daniel Jones said shared industry data is essential for effective airline planning.

The move reflects a broader push within aviation to improve data transparency, standardisation and collaboration, as airlines increasingly rely on sophisticated analytics to optimise operations and network strategies.