Southwest Joins IATA Schedule Data Exchange Program

Southwest Airlines has officially joined the IATA Schedule Data Exchange Program (SDEP), which was launched in late 2023 to create an airline-owned database of schedules and minimum connecting time exceptions. With Southwest’s participation, the number of contributing airlines rises to 190, strengthening the program’s reach and reliability.

Global Coverage:
The program already covers over 70% of available seat kilometers (ASKs) in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, with expectations to reach 90% worldwide by the end of 2026.

Give-to-Get Principle:
Airlines contribute their schedule data and, in return, gain access to enriched global datasets. This includes flight schedules, aircraft types, cabin configurations, and cargo payload information.

Data Security & Governance:
The initiative is governed by contributing airlines under strict compliance with competition laws, data release policies, and privacy standards.

Industry Impact:
Schedule data is critical for network planning, slot coordination, and interline agreements. By joining, Southwest enhances its own planning capabilities while contributing to a stronger collective dataset.

Leadership Perspective
- Frederic Leger (IATA SVP, Products & Services) emphasized that SDEP gives airlines control and ownership of collective schedule data, improving reliability and security.
- Daniel Jones (Southwest VP, Network Planning) noted that airlines depend heavily on schedule data for business planning, making participation in SDEP a logical step.

This move signals Southwest’s commitment to industry collaboration and smarter planning, while also encouraging other airlines to join the program.