Southwest Airlines should consider entering the Indian market by 2015 due to several key factors: 1) The rise in domestic air passengers, urban population, and number of cities with over one million people represents untapped market potential. 2) Southwest's expertise in low-cost and efficient operations as well as financial hedging strategies could be beneficial in the Indian aviation market which is 64% comprised of low-cost carriers. 3) Potential strategies for Southwest include forming joint ventures with established Indian players and initially operating in tier I and II cities and states with lower aviation fuel taxes to gain a foothold in the market.