Spirit announces expansion at Phoenix-Mesa Williams Gateway - $9 Intro Fares

[johnsonrod]

This is relevant for the majors board because Spirit will be competing with USAirways and SWA out of the Phoenix area (at least local traffic). Look for $9 introductory fares. Allegiant currently operates out of Williams Gateway (Mesa, Arizona). The former T-38 Talon Air Force Base offers 3 parallel 10,000 ft runways. When I was younger and visiting the area, I recall watching a C-5 Galaxy doing touch-and-goes on the center runway. I wonder if Spirit will open a pilot base in the area???? See the story below:




MIRAMAR, Fla., Dec. 6, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spirit Airlines (Nasdaq:SAVE - News) today announced that it will begin offering its ultra low fare service from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) to Las Vegas, Dallas/Fort Worth and Fort Lauderdale, as well as 30 other cities throughout the U.S., Caribbean and Latin America during the first quarter of 2012. Two daily non-stop flights between Phoenix-Mesa and Las Vegas begin on February 9, 2012, and daily non-stop service between Phoenix-Mesa and Dallas/Fort Worth with continuing service to Fort Lauderdale begins on March 22, 2012.

To celebrate, Spirit is offering $9 introductory fares* (each way based on round trip purchase) available today and tomorrow only at [URL="http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AkjirhmxXmMz0B.hZtUYMuyduodG;_ylu=X3oDMTFqc2Fobm1zBG1pdANBcnRpY2xlIEJvZHkEcG9zAzQEc2VjA01lZGlhQXJ0aWNsZUJvZHlBc3NlbWJseQ--;_ylg=X3oDMTJ0MXN1a2duBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDZjk3NzA3ODYtMTU0Mi0zNTRkLWI5NmMtZjFlNmEyY2RlNDk0BHBzdGNhdANuZXdzBHB0A3N0b3J5cGFnZQR0ZXN0Aw--;_ylv=0/SIG=11au2g5ck/EXP=1324418894/**http%3A//www.spirit.com/"]www.spirit.com[/URL].
"We are excited to bring our ultra low fares to travelers from Arizona and giving even more consumers the opportunity to save money on travel," said Spirit's Senior Director of Sales Michael Pewther. "Our cheap base fares with a range of optional services for a fee allows customers the freedom to choose only the extras they value."

"Spirit's commitment to Gateway Airport represents a turning point for air travel in Arizona," said Lynn Kusy, executive director of the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority. "Combining Spirit's famous low prices, Gateway Airport's easy terminal experience, and new service to popular destinations of Dallas, Las Vegas, and Fort Lauderdale, and you have the framework for a tremendously successful venture. I thank the Arizona community for supporting Gateway Airport. It is because of their support, Spirit has chosen to be here."

Schedule for Spirit's Phoenix/Mesa (AZA) --
Las Vegas (LAS) service effective February 9, 2012:
DepartArriveFlight #StopsFrequencyFrom Phoenix/Mesa to Las Vegas12:23 pm12:28 pm6230Daily
8:50 pm8:55 pm9490DailyFrom Las Vegas to Phoenix/Mesa9:38 am11:43 am4800Daily
6:05 pm8:10 pm5200DailyNote: departure and arrival times at Phoenix/Mesa will be one hour earlier effective March 11, 2012.
Schedule for Spirit's Phoenix/Mesa (AZA) -- Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) service effective March 22, 2012:
DepartArriveFlight #StopsFrequencyFrom Phoenix/Mesa to Dallas/Fort Worth12:45 am5:00 am972*0DailyFrom Dallas/Fort Worth to Phoenix/Mesa10:55 pm11:10 pm9710Daily*Effective March 23, 2012.
Schedule for Spirit's Phoenix/Mesa (AZA) -- Fort Lauderdale (FLL) service effective March 22, 2012:
DepartArriveFlight #StopsFrequencyFrom Phoenix/Mesa to Fort Lauderdale12:45 am9:35 am972*1DailyFrom Fort Lauderdale to Phoenix/Mesa8:00 pm11:10 pm9711Daily*Effective March 23, 2012.
$9 Introductory Fares* (each way based on round trip purchase):
One WayApplicable Dates


About Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines (Nasdaq:SAVE - News) empowers customers to save money on air travel by offering ultra low base fares with a range of optional services for a fee, allowing customers the freedom to choose only the extras they value. This innovative approach grows the traveling market and stimulates new economic activity while creating new jobs. Spirit's modern fleet, configuration and other innovations enable Spirit to burn less fuel per seat than competitors, making Spirit one of the most environmentally-friendly U.S. carriers. Spirit's all-Airbus fleet currently operates more than 175 daily flights to over 45 destinations throughout the U.S., Latin America and Caribbean. Visit Spirit at [URL="http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AjmlR2ATEfySwPgg.s7q4ZeduodG;_ylu=X3oDMTFqZTJrMXNoBG1pdANBcnRpY2xlIEJvZHkEcG9zAzgEc2VjA01lZGlhQXJ0aWNsZUJvZHlBc3NlbWJseQ--;_ylg=X3oDMTJ0MXN1a2duBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDZjk3NzA3ODYtMTU0Mi0zNTRkLWI5NmMtZjFlNmEyY2RlNDk0BHBzdGNhdANuZXdzBHB0A3N0b3J5cGFnZQR0ZXN0Aw--;_ylv=0/SIG=11au2g5ck/EXP=1324418894/**http%3A//www.spirit.com/"]www.spirit.com[/URL].

 

[General Lee]

I think I read somewhere that Ben Baldanza (CEO of Spirit) used to work at AA in the late 80s, and he had two other guys next to him in seperate cubicals, Doug Parker (CEO USAir) and Tom Horton (AA CEO). Looks like they all eventually rode the money train!


Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[johnsonrod]

Looking at it again, the article is a bit confusing. Is it implying that Spirit will eventually serve 30 cities nonstop FROM Williams Gateway or that people can connect to 30 cities (through the first 3 announced destinations)?

Certainly Williams Gateway can accomodate long-term growth using its 3 long runways and great weather. Not sure about the latest terminal facilities and whether the terminal has the space for growth - haven't been there for many years... Any Allegiant guys out there want to comment about flying in and out of Willie Gateway?

 

[Taco Rocket]

Nonsense. Nobody has ever claimed PHX as a cash cow, much less an airport way east out of town. Isn't Lotz from Mesa on the Spirit board?

http://people.forbes.com/profile/michael-j-lotz/52979

Mesa Grande

 

[Cruncher]

One problem.

If there is a cloud near the state of Arizona, ground delays commence throughout the US! The AZ air carrier operation would completely crumble under the stress of having TWO large airports within a 100 miles of each other!

 

[suupah]

One problem.

If there is a cloud near the state of Arizona, ground delays commence throughout the US! The AZ air carrier operation would completely crumble under the stress of having TWO large airports within a 100 miles of each other!

However I don't think it would be too hard to rework the airspace. there is a TON of flat land to the south where they can do all kinds o stuff. Good on spirit. I feel bad for Allegient though, spririt is goin after them and will likely win on the routes they are serving because 1. their planes are new 2. they will go to more on the beaten path destinations

 

[Full of LUV]

I feel bad for Allegient though, spririt is goin after them and will likely win on the routes they are serving because 1. their planes are new

Both airlines customers are interested in ONE thing, who is $1 cheaper. The average Spirit / Allegiant customer couldn't tell the difference between an MD80 and an A320 if it were parked in their front yard.

 

[crxpilot]

However I don't think it would be too hard to rework the airspace. there is a TON of flat land to the south where they can do all kinds o stuff. Good on spirit. I feel bad for Allegient though, spririt is goin after them and will likely win on the routes they are serving because 1. their planes are new 2. they will go to more on the beaten path destinations

You obviously dont understand the Allegiant way/philosophy.

 

[reepicheep]

Allegiant will continue to do things like FAR-IWA 2-3 times a week. Same deal with places like BLI, FSD, SGF. For the most part they are not targeting the same kind of customer Spirit is.

 

[Whataburger]

Allegiant ans Spirit seem to get 'er done regardless to what's going on in the world around them. Nice job.