DALLAS (AP) - Southwest Airlines Co. says a key revenue measure rose 2 percent in February despite a dip in traffic.

Dallas-based Southwest, which also operates AirTran Airways, said traffic on the two carriers fell 2.3 percent last month compared with a year ago. Southwest on Thursday reported passengers flew a total of 7.06 billion miles.

Passenger revenue for each seat flying one mile increased over February 2012. That’s a measure of pricing power in the airline industry.

Southwest doesn’t disclose average fares on a monthly basis, but it reported recently that the average fare in the fourth quarter of 2012 rose 5.4 percent from a year earlier, to $148.02 each way. Airlines raised fares several times in 2011 and 2012 — partly to offset high fuel costs.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Also Check Out:

• Woman Uses Electrical Cord To Discipline Son Caught In Homosexual Act
• Lily The Rabbit Still Lucky With Only Two Legs
• Little Boy’s Dancing Steals Spotlight at Rascal Flatts Concert
• Teen Killed By Oncoming Train In South Fort Worth
• Plano Police Warn Hispanic Men Of Violent Attacks

MOST VIEWED GALLERIES

• PHOTOS: Your Pet Pictures
• PHOTOS: 105.3 The Fan In New Orleans – Day 5
• PHOTOS: Top 10 Cars We Miss