ATA adding 4 cities in April '06

[SWA/FO]

Nearing end of bankrupcy, ATA expands service INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — ATA Airlines will add service to four cities and increase flights to Hawaii, the first sign of the airline's business plan once it emerges from federal bankruptcy protection in the coming weeks.
Monday's announcement comes after months of gate closures and layoffs and signals a return to the airline's roots as a carrier focused on travel to popular vacation destinations.
"With this announcement, we return to one of the core strengths on which ATA was built — leisure travel — while growing in a market that has been historically successful for our company," chief executive John Denison said in a statement.
Starting in April, the Indianapolis-based carrier will begin flying from Houston's William P. Hobby Airport to New York. The airline will also begin flying from Hilo International Airport in Hawaii, Oakland International Airport and Ontario International Airport, near Los Angeles.
ATA will increase its non-stop flights from Honolulu to the U.S. mainland and will add daily round trip flights from Houston to New York-LaGuardia.
Combined, the new flights represent an 11.5% increase in the airline's daily departures. It is the first time the company has added service since May 2005.
ATA, and its parent company ATA Holdings, are expected to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in late February.
ATA was founded in 1973, flying charter trips to leisure destinations. After becoming a passenger carrier in the 1980s, the airline grew to be the nation's 10th largest carrier before filing for bankruptcy in October 2004.
Throughout its restructuring process, the 33-year-old airline has slashed routes and discontinued service to nearly a dozen cities. In November, executives announced the carrier was ending service to its home city in Indianapolis.
ATA's hub is at Chicago's Midway airport.

 

[atafan]

ATA's hub is at Chicago's Midway airport.

ATA will soon no longer have an ATA hub. ATA scheduled flights will only operate into and out of SWA focus cities. I expect most of the bad news is behind us now, exit BK next month and enhanced agreements with SWA. ATA is on target to start becoming profitable again. Well, oil prices may negate that last statement.

 

[Wesb737fo]

What's this? Good news for a change, dang! let me pick myself up off the carpet. I guess we will do alot of 3 leg days between MDW-LGA-HOB.

 

[Hutchman]

Cal's bid was low since they are not getting 3 757-300 from ATA. I guess this is why.

 

[capt. megadeth]

Starting in April, the Indianapolis-based carrier will begin flying from Houston's William P. Hobby Airport to New York. .

So, in other words, they are testing the market for SWA to see if the route is profitable? Please....what a friggin joke.

When is SWA going to announce Hawaii service?

 

[apache]

Using them as an anal probe, if you will. Better them than us.

 

[dhampton]

It will be nice to have ATA in Oakland. See you guys there.

 

[SWA/FO]

So, in other words, they are testing the market for SWA to see if the route is profitable? Please....what a friggin joke.

When is SWA going to announce Hawaii service?

We already go there... If that's the case, anything ATA does is a test market for SWA.

 

[lonestarpilot20]

What's this? Good news for a change, dang! let me pick myself up off the carpet. I guess we will do alot of 3 leg days between MDW-LGA-HOB.

Let's see Chicago-New York-Hobbs,NM There must be a tremendous growth opportunity out there in NM.

I know, I just couldn't resist.:beer:

 

[canyonblue]

Let's see Chicago-New York-Hobbs,NM There must be a tremendous growth opportunity out there in NM.

I know, I just couldn't resist.:beer:

Thanks for letting the secret out.

 

[budlightyear]

Just wondering if anyone has any hiring info for ATA. I would love to send it but not sure what the best route is.

 

[BunsenHoneydew]

Just wondering if anyone has any hiring info for ATA. I would love to send it but not sure what the best route is.

Is that a joke? That must be a joke. With hundreds of ATAers on the street, I think that it is going to be a long time from now before good ol Johnny D announces or even thinks about any hiring.

That must have been a joke and I got suckered in.

BH

 

[HalinTexas]

Let's be clear here.

ATA ended service to DEN, SJU (really stupid) and MSP in the last two months. Have become or are becoming SWA cities. In April, we pull out of MCO and RSW, now SWA cities and they want them back.

We pull out of SFO and move the operation, what little there is, to OAK. ONT, ITO and HOU are new cities, but we have to give up a lot to start these new cities.

ATA is SWA's "prison bitch" or at best a place holder. When SWA can operate to international destinations or acquires ETOPS certification, ATA is done. We have 700+ active pilots with 30 airplanes. There is no reason for us to exist. There was a lot of hula-baloo (sp?) lately about a subservice to Air Saipan, but he Co. wanted something that union was not prepared to give. It was ridiculous.

The above news press release is at least a little be of good news, but it's not enough for ATA to become an independent, viable airline.

 

[apache]

ATA is SWA's "prison bitch" or at best a place holder.

Hal, is it true that you are getting new uniforms? ATA Uniform shop

I think that the zipper goes in the back.

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Let's be clear here.

ATA ended service to DEN, SJU (really stupid) and MSP in the last two months. Have become or are becoming SWA cities. In April, we pull out of MCO and RSW, now SWA cities and they want them back.

We pull out of SFO and move the operation, what little there is, to OAK. ONT, ITO and HOU are new cities, but we have to give up a lot to start these new cities.

ATA is SWA's "prison bitch" or at best a place holder. When SWA can operate to international destinations or acquires ETOPS certification, ATA is done. We have 700+ active pilots with 30 airplanes. There is no reason for us to exist. There was a lot of hula-baloo (sp?) lately about a subservice to Air Saipan, but he Co. wanted something that union was not prepared to give. It was ridiculous.

The above news press release is at least a little bit of good news, but it's not enough for ATA to become an independent, viable airline.

You may be entirely right, but I don't think so.

I don't think the SWA model works with international. I think while ATA will need to be tied to SWA the relationship is about to solidify. There will be a definite line SWA will not want to cross and ATA can stabilize as they take advantage of it.

I expected ATA to lose some destinations and the new schedule is going to be a good, firm base to improve from, IMHO. I can also see some international out of New York, DFW or even Orlando. ATA will be able to compete quite nicely with AA, UAL, USAir and DAL. Perhaps some international out of Philly or elsewhere is the cards.

But I'm drinking the koolaid and hope only the best for ATA. I knew ATA had to shrink and have already been shocked by the extent of the shrinkage at MDW. I predict good things for ATA by the end of the year.

 

[HalinTexas]

Hal, is it true that you are getting new uniforms? ATA Uniform shop

I think that the zipper goes in the back.

:laugh:

They'd have to be prison orange, though. Let's not forget the kneepads and the "Guppy Soap." Ouch, those winglets hurt.

 

[Capt.LongThrust]

Just curious what the SWAPA view on this codeshare is? That is if ATA starting doing international routes and expanding the Pacific flying.

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Just curious what the SWAPA view on this codeshare is? That is if ATA starting doing international routes and expanding the Pacific flying.

There were a few folks upset about Fort Myers and Orlando codeshare when we had service to the same cities. I knew it would all work out, so I was not. But codeshare is something most want to address in negotiations.

I don't know "SWAPA's" position very well. I know what some individuals think. I'm hoping the smart viewpoints will prevail.

 

[Capt.LongThrust]

FBJ,

I am sure the smart ones will prevail, like you said. That being said if this ATA thing does work. That is a big if. It will be interesting to see how SWAPA takes it. Of course if it is a dismal failure, then nobody wants any part of it. On the other hand if it works. Well I guess that will be a different ballgame. I think SWA is waiting until ATA rises from bankruptcy to step up the codeshare.

 

[budlightyear]

Gotcha

 

[capt. megadeth]

But I'm drinking the koolaid and hope only the best for ATA. I knew ATA had to shrink and have already been shocked by the extent of the shrinkage at MDW. I predict good things for ATA by the end of the year.

Kool-aid spiked with hallucinogens

 

[elcapitan]

Kool-aid spiked with hallucinogens

I think the koolaid is running low, but hey at least they have a job for a while longer. Too bad they could have done so much better if they had had good management. Just look at JetBlue and Airtran. ATA had a strong position at Midway in the middle of the number two airline market in the US. Southwest knew that and took advantage of this fact.

Should have got out with your millions when you could have George, but hey at least you can enjoy your new engines on your 150' foot fishing boat.

Good luck to all ATA'ers




How's that ecam-Bill?

 

[GuppyWN]

SWApA will get steamrolled. Basically the company will tell the union what they're doing and the union will respond with an email to the pilot group telling us it's in our best interest and "it's only on this one route." etc.

We're screwed.

Gup

 

[TZtoSWA]

Kool-aid spiked with hallucinogens

Your overwhelmingly negative rants on this subject get old. Why don't you stick to the freight forums?

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

SWApA will get steamrolled. Basically the company will tell the union what they're doing and the union will respond with an email to the pilot group telling us it's in our best interest and "it's only on this one route." etc.

We're screwed.

Gup

I find your lack of faith disturbing.....

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Kool-aid spiked with hallucinogens

Suzy in the sky with Diamonds,


Strawberry Fields forever!!

 

[DHPope93]

Suzy?

Suzy in the sky with Diamonds,

Umm, I think it's Lucy.

Scuze me, while I kiss the sky.

Peace,
DP

 

[SWA/FO]

Southwest knew that and took advantage of this fact.

ATA was in bankruptcy... they received offers from AirTran Airways
(da tranny) & Southwest Airlines. Southwest was chosen as their best offer. End of story. What happens next is up to Denison (sp) and Kelly.

I like ATA.

 

[capt. megadeth]

Your overwhelmingly negative rants on this subject get old. Why don't you stick to the freight forums?

Your airlines kumba-we're so full of $hit-ya bull $hit gets old. Why don't you kiss my hairy stinky.....????

 

[SWA/FO]

Your airlines kumba-we're so full of $hit-ya bull $hit gets old. Why don't you kiss my hairy stinky.....????

Hairy? & Stinky? They have many over-the-counter products that can help, most can be purchased at any CVS. Good thing for you they are open 24 hours.