AirTran, Frontier to battle it out for Chicago-Cancun rights

[c9skytrain]

The U.S. Department of Transportation has opened up a route proceeding that will decide whether Frontier Airlines or AirTran Airways will get the right to fly between Chicago and Cancun, Mexico.

The U.S.-Mexico air treaty allows three U.S. carriers on that route. United Airlines and American Airlines already hold those rights, but the third carrier - Brendan Airways flying as USA 3000 Airlines - is leaving the route as of Jan. 30.

According to the DOT, Frontier on Nov. 21 said it would like to fly the route up to seven times a week, using 164- to 168-seat Airbus A320 aircraft. It would also provide pick up the Apple Vacations business that USA 3000 has carried.

On Dec. 6, AirTran filed its own submission opposing Frontier's proposal and proposing its own daily service with 137-seat Boeing 737-700 aircraft..........

 

[texman]

Go get em AT(Swa)!

 

[Flying the Line]

AT holds the edge because service would be from midway versus frontier's service from ORD

 

[outerlimits]

AT holds the edge because service would be from midway versus frontier's service from ORD

Who makes the decission and when will it be made?

 

[Bill Nelson]

AT holds the edge because service would be from midway versus frontier's service from ORD

Frontier doesn't even serve ORD today. What kind of connecting traffic do you think they will have? Frontier is a dying entity. They are just trying to round up some assets with the hopes of a buyer.

 

[fam62c]

I'm surprised JB didn't apply as well.

 

[chqflyer]

SWA already has a mega hub out of MDW. Why bother delaying the obvious?

 

[Muppets]

If Im a passenger and flying with my family, I would choose F9 over AirTran any day of the week. Better cabin, better seats, in flight entertainment, etc. We at the tranny got nothing. Absolutely no reason for any human being to fly on us....yet they do.

 

[On Your Six]

AT holds the edge because service would be from midway versus frontier's service from ORD

Frontier doesn't go to ORD, only MDW from DEN. And they do a lot of CUN flights from other cities, like SLC on Saturdays, MCI, etc.


Godspeed!


The OYSter

 

[Mamma]

168 seat A320 sounds miserable. Have fun.