Airtran may get some of Delta's gates in ATL

[flaps30]

AAI-gets ATL
JBLU gets JFK
AMR/Sothwest gets Dallas, oh wait they got those already.
Skybus get CVG,


WASHINGTON (AP) -- The CEO of AirTran Airways on Thursday said he favors airline industry consolidation because it should free up more gates at busy airports.
If Delta Air Lines Inc. were to merge with Northwest Airlines Corp., for example, or any other large carriers opted to merge, regulators likely will force the combined company to divest gates and traffic slots to allay antitrust concerns, Bob Fornaro, president and chief executive of AirTran Holdings Inc., said.

 

[HalinTexas]

Doesn't mean FL will get more ATL gates. This may be the opportunity for WN to get some ATL gates without buying anyone. The airport authority might just welcome them in with open arms.

 

[9rj9]

Spin it GL!!!!!

 

[General Lee]

AAI-gets ATL
JBLU gets JFK
AMR/Sothwest gets Dallas, oh wait they got those already.
Skybus get CVG,


WASHINGTON (AP) -- The CEO of AirTran Airways on Thursday said he favors airline industry consolidation because it should free up more gates at busy airports.
If Delta Air Lines Inc. were to merge with Northwest Airlines Corp., for example, or any other large carriers opted to merge, regulators likely will force the combined company to divest gates and traffic slots to allay antitrust concerns, Bob Fornaro, president and chief executive of AirTran Holdings Inc., said.

The Airtran CEO probably wishes for a lot of things. There will be some gates available probably, the ones NWA uses currently in ATL. As far as gates or slots at other airports (LGA, DCA, etc)--there are NO overlapping routes at any of those airports between NWA and DL. None. We both don't fly from LGA to MCO, or FLL, etc. Nope. NWA flies only to their own respective hubs (MSP, DTW, MEM, IND, and maybe MKE). We don't go to any of those places, and I am sure a combined carrier would still like to fly to those same places from DCA or LGA. IF there were redundant flights (just like redundant gates in ATL), then they would be put up for grabs. But, there are not. The Airtran CEO can still be hopeful, though...


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

Spin it GL!!!!!

Tell me where I am wrong on this subject. Go for it.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[whoknows]

The Airtran CEO probably wishes for a lot of things. There will be some gates available probably, the ones NWA uses currently in ATL. As far as gates or slots at other airports (LGA, DCA, etc)--there are NO overlapping routes at any of those airports between NWA and DL. None. We both don't fly from LGA to MCO, or FLL, etc. Nope. NWA flies only to their own respective hubs (MSP, DTW, MEM, IND, and maybe MKE). We don't go to any of those places, and I am sure a combined carrier would still like to fly to those same places from DCA or LGA. IF there were redundant flights (just like redundant gates in ATL), then they would be put up for grabs. But, there are not. The Airtran CEO can still be hopeful, though...


Bye Bye--General Lee

Maybe I am missing something, but part of the whole merger thing would envolve some hub closures. I doubt NeW DeltA will keep all the hubs of IND, CVG, MEM or a possible MKE. I am not sure how CVG helps AirTran, but any pull back in the other hubs would mean less competion for AirTran. Furthermore, I would guess the the DoJ will ask for NeW DeltA to divest some assets, hence the AirTran CEO getting his checkbook out.

Whoknows?

 

[Max Powers]

The Airtran CEO probably wishes for a lot of things. There will be some gates available probably, the ones NWA uses currently in ATL. As far as gates or slots at other airports (LGA, DCA, etc)--there are NO overlapping routes at any of those airports between NWA and DL. None. We both don't fly from LGA to MCO, or FLL, etc. Nope. NWA flies only to their own respective hubs (MSP, DTW, MEM, IND, and maybe MKE). We don't go to any of those places, and I am sure a combined carrier would still like to fly to those same places from DCA or LGA. IF there were redundant flights (just like redundant gates in ATL), then they would be put up for grabs. But, there are not. The Airtran CEO can still be hopeful, though...


Bye Bye--General Lee

Oh GL you are so weak minded and think on such a linear field........WHAT ABOUT ALL THE RJs......Let me guess you still don't see the big picture...well when the merger hits you will. A sad day for everyone under 47 years of age at Delta.

 

[Saluki Dawg]

I can almost guarantee WN will get a few ATL gates if any become available even if it means outbidding FL for them.

 

[Max Powers]

I can almost guarantee WN will get a few ATL gates if any become available even if it means outbidding FL for them.

I would think MEM would make a lot more sense for them. NWA has a large hub there which will be turned into the likes of the PIT airport. WN would clean house there I'm thinking.

 

[General Lee]

Maybe I am missing something, but part of the whole merger thing would envolve some hub closures. I doubt NeW DeltA will keep all the hubs of IND, CVG, MEM or a possible MKE. I am not sure how CVG helps AirTran, but any pull back in the other hubs would mean less competion for AirTran. Furthermore, I would guess the the DoJ will ask for NeW DeltA to divest some assets, hence the AirTran CEO getting his checkbook out.

Whoknows?

Divest what? There are no overlapping routes from those big airports---LGA/DCA. I can see Delta giving back gates in ATL that NWA uses now, but routes only flown by one of them would not be scaled back---local politicians in those particular cities (MSP, DTW, MEM, etc) want the continued service. Will Airtran start LGA to MEM or MSP service in return? Doubtful.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

Oh GL you are so weak minded and think on such a linear field........WHAT ABOUT ALL THE RJs......Let me guess you still don't see the big picture...well when the merger hits you will. A sad day for everyone under 47 years of age at Delta.

You are right Max, a lot of the RJs will be parked. Thanks for bringing that up. You are a genius. You must be a lady killer and everyone admires you....


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

I would think MEM would make a lot more sense for them. NWA has a large hub there which will be turned into the likes of the PIT airport. WN would clean house there I'm thinking.

How is PIT doing MAX? Any idea? Did Southwest go in there and create a large hub? They didn't? There are plenty of gates MAX. Right MAX? It depends on the city. PIT is a dying town, with little or no O&D traffic. The same would go to MEM and CVG. Do you want to take the MR. or MRS. to CVG for the weekend? I didn't think so.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Kharma Police]

I can almost guarantee WN will get a few ATL gates if any become available even if it means outbidding FL for them.

Ha! Ha! no more staples!! Hey Cowboy Kelly, when you gonna buy AirTranzzzzzzz!!!!

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

I can almost guarantee WN will get a few ATL gates if any become available even if it means outbidding FL for them.

Not gonna happen.:beer:

 

[maxblast72]

The Airtran CEO probably wishes for a lot of things. There will be some gates available probably, the ones NWA uses currently in ATL. As far as gates or slots at other airports (LGA, DCA, etc)--there are NO overlapping routes at any of those airports between NWA and DL. None. We both don't fly from LGA to MCO, or FLL, etc. Nope. NWA flies only to their own respective hubs (MSP, DTW, MEM, IND, and maybe MKE). We don't go to any of those places, and I am sure a combined carrier would still like to fly to those same places from DCA or LGA. IF there were redundant flights (just like redundant gates in ATL), then they would be put up for grabs. But, there are not. The Airtran CEO can still be hopeful, though...


Bye Bye--General Lee

I don't believe the slots would be need to be given up due to overlapping flights. I think Airtran's argument with the DOJ about the merger is that the combined airline would have too big of a percentage of the total DC and NY slots. Thus, to get DOJ approval, some slots might have to be shed to allow more competition.

I don't know the exact details of the USAir/United combination, but there were going to be some assets freeing up in DC if those two ever got together back in 2000/2001. I wish I knew more about the DC Air and Potomac Airlines story.

It will be interesting to see if Delta/Northwest can put egos aside and get this thing put together with a DOJ blessing.