Airtran gets some of ATA's LGA and DCA Slots

[maxblast72]

Just announced on Airtran's 3rd quarter conference call, 5 new departures from LGA and one new departure from DCA. Stressed alot how important these slots were in opening up the two most profitable business markets in the northeast.

Also, announced deferring 3 more deliveries in 4th Qtr 2008 for a total of 10 new aircraft in 2008 for an ASM growth of about 12%. All options on table depending on where fuel goes (including outright sale of delivery slots) but so far the ticket price increases and monthly capacity reductions (Sep, Oct, Jan, Feb) seem to be doing the job of keeping Airtran profitable.

 

[Kharma Police]

Just announced on Airtran's 3rd quarter conference call, 5 new departures from LGA and one new departure from DCA. Stressed alot how important these slots were in opening up the two most profitable business markets in the northeast.

Did they say where we will be flying with the additional slots?

 

[maxblast72]

No they did not specifically say where the departures were to. They did emphasize they wanted to diversify and reduce their exposure to the Atlanta market. They also talked about how important having access New York and DC were in the East-West markets (assuming a new hub?).

Maybe we are going to do New York and DC to MKE, MDW, or IND as we expand in the midwest part of the country.

 

[PRINCE AKEEM]

50+ Spanish speaking reservation agents were supposedly hired for added flights coming soon between MCO and San Juan. A good source also mentioned Salt Lake is coming next year.

ps. On another note, a "glich" in flica should be fixed. Build-up line holders should now have the ability to drop/swap reserve days.

 

[PCL_128]

Also, announced deferring 3 more deliveries in 4th Qtr 2008 for a total of 10 new aircraft in 2008 for an ASM growth of about 12%. All options on table depending on where fuel goes (including outright sale of delivery slots)

Upgrade times are getting longer and longer. Everyone needs to keep this in mind when considering what our FO payscales should be in the next TA. Overall, good news for the quarter. Glad to see more slots out of important markets, but we need to be thinking merger if we aren't going to keep growing at a high rate. We'll be left in the dust if we stay a stand-alone carrier with only 10-12% growth.

 

[CitationLover]

Seems to me PIT with its excess gates seems to be a logical AirTran "midwest" hub.

 

[curtis46]

LGA-MCO-SJU starting in january
You heard it first on FI.

 

[GOULET!]

Wouldn't be suprised at all to see a MKE-LGA route like Maxblast has said to counter Midwest. Especially with the 2 new gates they are getting in MKE.

 

[JJET44]

Maybe we are going to do New York and DC to MKE, MDW, or IND as we expand in the midwest part of the country.

Good luck with LGA/DCA-MDW.
ATA abandoned these markets because of excess competition and falling ticket prices. With the way things were, nobody was making money. They also dropped out of these markets to reallocated their assets for up and coming ventures.
This all came directly from the CEO of GAL last week.
(excuse my sp)

 

[funnyman12]

Additionally, the company unveiled a just-completed deal to acquire 10 daily slots at New York's La Guardia Airport and two at Washington Reagan National Airport from privately held ATA.
To top it off, Orlando-based AirTran has now eclipsed Southwest (LUV - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr - Rating) as the lowest cost major airline, says Morningstar analyst Marisa Thompson. "They overcame Southwest last year in terms of cost structure, and we've been impressed by their ability to continue lowering unit costs," she says. "The biggest headwind for all airlines is fuel costs, so they have to do everything they can."


LGA is one of our most profitable markets and we are now the lowest cost major airline. I have a feeling we will do well.