Airlines try to hedge against soaring fuel costs

They tracked the price of oil futures for the next several months, and they told a grim tale: No letup in sight from record prices for jet fuel.

"We're on a one-way street right now," Topping said as he hunched over the screen, shaking his head.

It's Topping's job to oversee Southwest's battle to control surging fuel costs. It is the most successful program of its kind in the airline industry.

In the first quarter of this year, Southwest paid $1.98 per gallon for fuel. American Airlines paid $2.73, and United paid $2.83 per gallon in the same period.

Since 1999, hedging has saved Southwest $3.5 billion. It has sometimes meant the difference between profit and loss. In the first quarter, hedging gains of $291 million dwarfed Southwest's $34 million profit.

Hedging is a financial strategy that lets airlines or other investors protect themselves against rising prices for commodities such as oil by locking in a price for fuel. It has been described as everything from gambling to buying insurance.

Airlines can hedge in several ways, making financial transactions with banks, energy companies or other trading partners.

They can buy contracts for crude oil or unleaded gasoline, and reap a gain if prices rise, offsetting the higher cost of jet fuel.

They can buy a "call option" that gives them the right to buy fuel at a certain price.