The 2010 Southwest Airlines One Report™ has achieved a GRI B+ application level.
External Assurance
May 18, 2011
Southwest Airlines Co.
HDQ-1PR
2702 Love Field Drive
P.O. Box 36611
Dallas, TX 75235-1611
Burns & McDonnell Engineering Inc.
Assurance Statement for 2010 Southwest Airlines One Report™
Southwest Airlines:
Burns & McDonnell Engineering Inc. (Burns & McDonnell) was retained by Southwest Airlines Co. (Southwest) to verify and provide external assurance that the 2010 Southwest Airlines One Report™ (2010 One Report) provides a balanced view of Southwest’s triple bottom line profile for the reporting period and includes accurate data and information in line with the principles outlined in the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines version 3.0. The purpose of this assurance engagement was to:
- Assure the 2010 results of the Southwest GRI profile disclosures, disclosures on management approach, and performance indicators contained in the 2010 One Report, including both qualitative and quantitative data.
- Review the 2010 One Report to ensure Southwest has utilized the GRI G3 sustainability reporting framework to achieve a B+ application level.
In addition to the assurance of the GRI profile disclosures, disclosures on management approach and performance indicators, Burns & McDonnell also reviewed and assured additional 2010 material metrics and accomplishments presented in the 2010 One Report with the exception of information presented in Southwest’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for year ended Dec. 31, 2010 and Southwest’s 2011 Proxy Statement. The financial statements included in the Form 10-K have been audited by the company’s independent auditor.
In order to complete external assurance of the 2010 One Report, Burns & McDonnell independently interviewed Southwest employees; obtained, analyzed and verified data; and conducted independent industry research and benchmarking to substantiate and support the statements contained in the report. The content, structure and presentation of the report were reviewed against the GRI guidelines to ensure conformation.
This review determined that Southwest has a systematic, documented, evidence-based reporting process in place. The 2010 One Report includes responses to a minimum of 20 performance indicators with at least one from each of the economic, social and environmental categories as well as addresses the required GRI profile disclosures and disclosures on management approach. The 2010 One Report provides a reasonable and balanced presentation of Southwest’s triple bottom line performance.
To the best of our knowledge, we have found that Southwest has satisfactorily applied the GRI sustainability reporting framework. The content provided for the 2010 One Report meets the content and quality requirements of the GRI Sustainability Reporting Guidelines version 3.0 B+ application level.
Sincerely,
Tiffany Goebel
Project Manager, Environmental Group
Burns & McDonnell