More Competition in Milwaukee for Midwest

[Eagle757shark]

AirTran adds 5 destinations

Trips to coast cities to take off in May

By THOMAS DAYKIN
[email protected]

Posted: Jan. 28, 2008

AirTran Airways will begin offering non-stop service from Milwaukee to five West Coast and East Coast destinations, with today's announcement coming one week after AirTran announced new service to New York.
AirTran will offer seasonal service from Milwaukee to Los Angeles International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, San Diego's Lindbergh Field Airport and Logan International Airport in Boston.
AirTran also is adding additional flights to its Milwaukee-Las Vegas service.
The flights to Los Angeles, Seattle/Tacoma and San Francisco will begin May 6. The flights to San Diego and Boston will begin May 21.
The year-around service from Milwaukee to New York also begins May 6.
With the new flights, AirTran will provide up to 20 daily departures to 13 non-stop destinations from Milwaukee.
AirTran now offers 10 daily departures to seven destinations.
The new service brings a bigger challenge from AirTran to Midwest Air Group Inc., the dominant carrier at Mitchell International Airport.
AirTran Holdings Inc., the corporate parent of AirTran Airways, failed in its hostile takeover attempt of Midwest Air, which operates Midwest Airlines and Midwest Connect.
"We think the market (in Milwaukee) can be a lot bigger," said Kevin Healy, AirTran vice president of planning and marketing. "This is a good first step."
The sale of Oak Creek-based Midwest Air to TPG Capital and Northwest Airlines Corp. is expected to close by Thursday.

​

 

[GOULET!]

Nice going Eagle757Shark. You beat me to the punch by about 30 seconds. I think this is perfect timing by AirTran. Like it says above, the TPG deal is still expected by the 1st. I know alot of people at Skyway are welcoming the increased flying out of MKE on AirTran now.

 

[CitationLover]

well the west coast flying out of MKE has limited capacity so I doubt the impact is too much. LGA/BOS are the two high yield routes they are targeting so far and I am sure the market can bear 6 more flights per day to those markets.

a significant portion of our west coast revenue out of MKE isn't originating in MKE. AAI generating more O traffic from MKE to the west coast is a good thing for ALL carriers flying those routes. competition is a great thing.

and it looks like i was right, a small loss in 4Q for AAI. i am sure the NPA will be hit with the usual "costs must be contained and remained low" during their negotiations.

 

[Eagle757shark]

Nice going Eagle757Shark. You beat me to the punch by about 30 seconds. I think this is perfect timing by AirTran. Like it says above, the TPG deal is still expected by the 1st. I know alot of people at Skyway are welcoming the increased flying out of MKE on AirTran now.

I don't know about TPG or Skyway, but I do know that AirTran has made it a priority in 2008 to build a midwest presence. AirTran is interested in building a east-west flow in their route network. They learned a great deal about Milwaukee and the market and feel this is a market that will help them accomplish their goal. This summer will be a busy time in Milwaukee. The residence will have lots of low fare options. More expansion in Milwaukee to come. OH...it's not personal it's just business! Famous quote!

 

[CitationLover]

OH...it's not personal it's just business! Famous quote!

spoken like a true scorned lover from "As MKE Mitchell Turns" on CBS at 2pm.

 

[Kharma Police]

For the MEH guys. Do you take the 717 to the west coast (maybe via MCI) or do you fly the Super-80s?

 

[CitationLover]

For the MEH guys. Do you take the 717 to the west coast (maybe via MCI) or do you fly the Super-80s?

80's, although the 717 has been doing one PHX flight a day lately.

717 from MCI to SEA/SAN/LAX/SFO.

 

[Kharma Police]

I know alot of people at Skyway are welcoming the increased flying out of MKE on AirTran now.

Didn't you laugh at what AirTran was going to do with the 4 gates in MKE?

 

[gt1900]

Ive seen the MEH 717 in SEA going back and forth from MCI as well.... BTW... Citation, don't act like your some genious because "you" estimated AAI was going to have a small loss. All you had to do was look on AAI's website under the earnings section. They have been predicting a 2 million loss since early January...

 

[Eagle757shark]

Ive seen the MEH 717 in SEA going back and forth from MCI as well.... BTW... Citation, don't act like your some genious because "you" estimated AAI was going to have a small loss. All you had to do was look on AAI's website under the earnings section. They have been predicting a 2 million loss since early January...

For the 7th straight year profitable!

 

[CitationLover]

BTW... Citation, don't act like your some genious because "you" estimated AAI was going to have a small loss.

you+are=you're

and besides you can read about the whole thread regarding that on the airtran upgraded thread. maxblast might be out $5.

 

[gt1900]

and it looks like i was right, a small loss in 4Q for AAI. i am sure the NPA will be hit with the usual "costs must be contained and remained low" during their negotiations.[/quote]

Pretty much sound like your trying to take credit for what the website already said... Ridethelightning was the first person to bring it up and then I broke it down even further... Maybe you should say "looks like AAI's website was right, a small loss in 4Q for AAI"...

BTW.. Thanks for the grammer leson.. What would I do without you teaching me how to spoke..

 

[CitationLover]

Pretty much sound like your trying to take credit for what the website already said... Ridethelightning was the first person to bring it up and then I broke it down even further... Maybe you should say "looks like AAI's website was right, a small loss in 4Q for AAI"...

BTW.. Thanks for the grammer leson.. What would I do without you teaching me how to spoke..

sound+s is the proper verb form.

i am taking credit for the people who said there would be a small profit (PCL_128, etc.). i never look at the AAI website, so relax. take a shower. have some dip. i know you reb's can't speak proper english.

now since YOU broke it down, a la maria bartiromo, thanks. 7 years profitable, 3 years negotiating. tick tock.

 

[Kharma Police]

sound+s is the proper verb form.

i am taking credit for the people who said there would be a small profit (PCL_128, etc.). i never look at the AAI website, so relax. take a shower. have some dip. i know you reb's can't speak proper english.

now since YOU broke it down, a la maria bartiromo, thanks. 7 years profitable, 3 years negotiating. tick tock.

Don't forget, no furloughs either. Hey Mr. Grammar, try using the "shift" key at the beginning of a sentence. Don’t look at our website for financial info, liar, liar…

 

[maxblast72]

you+are=you're

and besides you can read about the whole thread regarding that on the airtran upgraded thread. maxblast might be out $5.

You got me on that CL. You want to go double or nothing on the $5 that TPG will get a 10% concessionary package out of you guys by 2009 (only since you like constantly bring up our negotiations).

 

[CitationLover]

Don't forget, no furloughs either. Hey Mr. Grammar, try using the "shift" key at the beginning of a sentence. Don’t look at our website for financial info, liar, liar…

i downloaded the annual report a year ago, that's it. will download this years once it's posted.

you are correct, i should be capitalizing, we all have our flaws. :nuts:

 

[CitationLover]

You got me on that CL. You want to go double or nothing on the $5 that TPG will get a 10% concessionary package out of you guys by 2009 (only since you like constantly bring up our negotiations).

sure. double or nothing.

 

[Kharma Police]

i downloaded the annual report a year ago, that's it. will download this years once it's posted.

you are correct, i should be capitalizing, we all have our flaws. :nuts:

I'm (I am) guessing Indiana public schools? (Since you enjoy pointing out how ignorant we are south of the Mason-Dixon.)

 

[Secret Squirrel]

Max, I would not take that bet. It is way too likely that TPG/NW drops its offer before the 31 and we end up with Midwest anyway. But for MUCH cheaper.

 

[Wesb737fo]

Max, I would not take that bet. It is way too likely that TPG/NW drops its offer before the 31 and we end up with Midwest anyway. But for MUCH cheaper.

Not slamming anyone here, but how did MEH do in Q4 and year over year. If they were way off projections from when the deal was made, I wonder if TPG/NWA are having second thoughts, especially at $90 oil.

 

[PCL_128]

Max, I would not take that bet. It is way too likely that TPG/NW drops its offer before the 31 and we end up with Midwest anyway. But for MUCH cheaper.

I hope so. I think that would be best for both groups.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

Not slamming anyone here, but how did MEH do in Q4 and year over year. If they were way off projections from when the deal was made, I wonder if TPG/NWA are having second thoughts, especially at $90 oil.

There are a couple things. TPG/NWA is probably realizing they paid WAY too much and NWA now has other things on their plate to worry about. I bet they back out of the deal before the DOJ rules on the deal.

 

[Eagle757shark]

I believe this expansion out of Milwaukee is not about Midwest but AirTran establishing a good base for its east-west network. Before ATA went into Ch. 11, they had good loads from BOS, LGA, DCA connecting through Midway to SEA, SFO, LAX, PHX, and LAS. But ATA was using larger aircraft (757 and 737-800) and AirTran will be flying the same routes with smaller 737-700 aircraft. Why MKE and not MDW? I believe not having to go head to head with Southwest was a big factor. The only aircraft at the moment that can compete with AirTran on those west coast routes out of Milwaukee are Midwest MD-80s. The head to head competition between the MD-80 and 737-700 at high energy prices, well the 737-700 will win everytime. AirTran is testing these new markets during the busy summer season. If they do well, the routes will become year round. More cities will be added...DFW, DEN, PHL, and probable DCA or IAD. You may even see the launch of Salt Lake city as well. AirTran will attempt to maximize the use of the gates they have in Milwaukee. More JOBS for Milwaukee to come via AirTran.

 

[Propsync]

There are a couple things. TPG/NWA is probably realizing they paid WAY too much and NWA now has other things on their plate to worry about. I bet they back out of the deal before the DOJ rules on the deal.

Hey, weren't you the guy that started the post about Skyway shutting down? Either you are wired or have a great crystal ball. Anyway, my thoughts exactly. I can't imagine TPG/NW has the time for this with bigger and better opportunities out there.

CL- Everyone else is right. There is not a shot of you guys inking ANYTHING this year but concessions. Somebody said 2009, I'll put it in for 2010. That's for the sale. All bets are off if you guys get dumped. Then I'd bet on a staple.

 

[GOULET!]

I still believe most locals in MKE will chose Midwest over AirTran if the prices are close. What I was refering to Kharma with the 4 gates is they need to start new non-stop destinations out of MKE that aren't already offered by Midwest. There is no question that they will steal passengers away with the routes announced today but I agree with others that this is more of AirTran's own expansion now than just them out to spite Midwest.

 

[CitationLover]

Max, I would not take that bet. It is way too likely that TPG/NW drops its offer before the 31 and we end up with Midwest anyway. But for MUCH cheaper.

ahhh the tranny nostradamii are out (sorry that midwestern schooling kharma). didn't you say the AAI deal was a slam dunk? then stated TPG was simply driving the price up for AAI and JL? and now it's this?

 

[CitationLover]

CL- Everyone else is right. There is not a shot of you guys inking ANYTHING this year but concessions. Somebody said 2009, I'll put it in for 2010. That's for the sale. All bets are off if you guys get dumped. Then I'd bet on a staple.

It's funny to see the AAI guys (the usual "i told you so" fellas) rooting for us to take concessions. WE WANT THEM TO GET 50% RAISES BEFORE US SO WE CAN SHOW THE COMPANY WHAT THE GOING 717 RATES ARE. is it our fault they have been negotiating forever? we aren't rooting for the demise or concessions here. i want ALL companies to get raises, imbecile.

glad to hear you're so full of cheer though. i've been saying we'll get stapled (by AAI) from day one when the announced their intentions. federal law beat the deal though, so i guess now binding arbitration will happen if AAI buys us. as far as NWA, binding arbitration it will be there. so you see propsync, there ain't any more staples per se thanks to the TWA FA's lobbying their Mizzou congresspersons.

 

[CitationLover]

I still believe most locals in MKE will chose Midwest over AirTran if the prices are close. What I was refering to Kharma with the 4 gates is they need to start new non-stop destinations out of MKE that aren't already offered by Midwest. There is no question that they will steal passengers away with the routes announced today but I agree with others that this is more of AirTran's own expansion now than just them out to spite Midwest.

yeah, where is that twice daily CAK route they promised MKE?

 

[Secret Squirrel]

ahhh the tranny nostradamii are out (sorry that midwestern schooling kharma). didn't you say the AAI deal was a slam dunk? then stated TPG was simply driving the price up for AAI and JL? and now it's this?

Nope, not me. I only turned my crystal ball to AAI's future in the last couple months. The MEH deal was before my time.

 

[gt1900]

yeah, where is that twice daily CAK route they promised MKE?

Comments like that are the reason AAI guys keep saying I told you so. Your like a little kid grasping for straws. Don't be suprised to see CAK added in the future.... BTW. What happened to all the profits and growth Timmy promised you guys? Rumors of furlough at MEH, Skyway guys getting hosed, and continued losses for MEH doesn't sound to promising.. None of those things would have happened with an AAI buyout. Yet you still try and bash AAI every chance you get.. Hate to tell you this, but, AAI will eventually go into CAK from MKE, the pilots of AAI will eventually have mutually agreeable contract from the company, and the pilots of MEH will take concessions unless you are merged with another company. Trust me, when it comes to losing your job or a concession, you will vote for a concession..