AA expanding at DFW

[satpak77]

After "several years of cutbacks" AA has decided to expand at DFW. Maybe its the new Arpey leadership. Supposedly D-Terminal (being built) will be dedicated to international ops.

http://www.nbc5i.com/travelgetaways/2897589/detail.html

I thought the "super-hub" concept of the 80's was being discarded in favor of the low fare point to point business model? Now instead of getting off my AA flight at A-21 and trying to make my connection at C-30, I need to now worry about D-XXX.

'Scuse the cart please.......'scuse the cart

 

[BLUE BAYOU]

They're probably ramping up for the impending competition with AirTran as they build up their operations there. After moving their assets out of STL, AA is in a pretty good position to protect their hubs of ORD, DFW and look for more out of JFK-- as JBLU starts flying down to the Dominican Republic and Delta ramps up their operations as well...

 

[Ty Webb]

Yah, vee are taking over ze verld. First, Atlanta-stan, next, dat cowboy-town, soon, ze whole verld vill be ours. It is useless to try to stop us. Arpey, save yourself . . . .

Seriously, I think you are right about AMR circling the wagons. I think they will find, though, that there is room in DFW for both of us. If they want to lose a bunch of money competing against us for the bottom fares in the market, well, they only have to look at Concourse C in ATL to see that the dinosaur method of competition isn;t working.

I remember a quote (from a pre-911 industry) that Delta figured that Airtran's competition "cost them" over a billion dollars- in a year that our revenues were only $600 million. I would say that Delta cost themselves over $400 million, and it sure didn't stem AirTran's growth . . .

I have thought for quite a while that the majors would be much better off focusing on what they do best, instead of fighting aganst the LCC for the lowest-paying customers.

That recent ad campaign by AMR is s step in the right direction ("I'm so-and-so,and I fly American Airlines"). Just make sure you back it up with improved customer service, bag handling, and reasonable fares- otherwise, it will just become a bad joke.