The money was raised "for general corporate purposes" The Dallas Morning News reported.

"We felt it was wise to bolster our cash positions," airline spokeswoman Beth Harbin said.

The loan, a combined effort of Citibank NA and seven European banks, needs to be repaid by May 2020, the report said.

Rising fuel costs have prompted a raft of reactions from airlines, including raising money through baggage fees, fuel surcharges and cutting back on schedules to ensure remaining flights are full.

Southwest posted earnings of $34 million in the first quarter of 2008, the only airline among the 10 largest in the United States to post a profit, the report said.