Southwest Airlines has joined IATA’s Schedule Data Exchange Program, boosting participation to 190 airlines and strengthening global schedule data sharing. The initiative enhances airline planning, data security, and industry collaboration, with global coverage expected to reach 90% by 2026.
Southwest Airlines has joined the Schedule Data Exchange Program (SDEP) led by the International Air Transport Association, bringing total participating airlines to 190 and significantly strengthening the industry’s shared data ecosystem.
Launched in late 2023, SDEP is designed to create an airline-owned database of schedules and minimum connecting time exceptions. Such data is critical to operations, supporting network planning, slot coordination, and interline partnerships. Current coverage exceeds 70% of available seat kilometers (ASKs) across airlines in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, with global coverage projected to reach 90% by the end of 2026.
IATA
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) represents and serves airlines with advocacy and global standards for safety, security, efficiency, and sustainability.
A central feature of SDEP is its “give-to-get” model, where airlines contribute proprietary schedule data in exchange for enriched global datasets. These include detailed information on flight schedules, aircraft types, cabin layouts, and cargo capacity, enabling more advanced analytics and planning capabilities.
The program is governed collectively by participating airlines under strict compliance with competition laws and data security standards.
“IATA’s SDEP aims to give airlines control and ownership of the industry’s collective schedule data,” said Frederic Leger. Daniel Jones added that shared data management benefits all participants.