Independence Air....whats the deal?

[Lrjtcaptain]

Alrighty, my friend and furloughy of ACA is taking his checkride today in the jungle jet for Expressjet. Way to go TOOSLOW!

Anyways, was out drinking the other night with some other pilots and Independence air came up.

I know they wanna be a Southwest type airline. I know they are shopping for Airbus and keeping the CRJ's online as well.

What is there plan? How are they gonna compete with SWA who basically owns the BWI area? Dullus isn't too far away. I know there are a million people flying out of the DC area, but what is the strategy here with the airline market the way it is?

Are they gonna make it or is this gonna be a short term airline. Just wondering if I should take the "FLYI" sticker off my car

 

[Bandit60]

I have been wondering the same thing. Are they going to make it?
I don't fly for them but one of my good friends is one of their most senior pilots. He is going to training on the airbus. He is very excited about that but I dont think he has looked at the whole picture on how they are going to survive as an independant airline.

Dont get me wrong I hope they make it, but I am skeptical.

 

[ATL2CDG]

While I dislike the downfall of ANY airline and the subsequent effect on its employees, I don't feel that ACA/Indy Air will make it. I haven't viewed any documents from the company concerning operating costs and such, but given the relatively high cost structure and limitations of CRJs, it doesn't seem a sound plan.

This being said, I haven't been a fly on the wall there, so maybe they've found a way to make it work. In any case, best of luck to Indy Air and her people!

 

[dav8or]

350 million in cash to burn through.

 

[Khirsah]

How are they gonna compete?

BWI-IND Round Trip Advance Purchase ticket:
Depart Aug 20
Return Aug 25
Choice of 3 N/S flights a day both ways
$236 basic fare

IAD-IND Round Trip ticket:
Depart Aug 20
Return Aug 25
Choice of 7 N/S flights a day both ways
$138 basic fare

That's how.

At least out of the DC area, Indy Air's going to give SWA a run for their money (assuming they can sustain those fares, which I'm sure Skeen and Co have decided they can). Especially since they offer quite a few destinations in NE that Southwest doesn't offer: JFK, EWR and BOS. Heck, they won't have to compete against JetBlue on those flights either.

I think all it will boil down to is brand recognition. Will Indy Air be able to get the word out to enough people?

 

[Loafman]

No.

 

[350DRIVER]

How are they gonna compete with SWA who basically owns the BWI area?

As much as I dislike SWA which I avoid at all costs, there is absolutely no way Indy will be able to compete with them whether it be directly or indirectly. This is nothing more than a wild gamble at best with many jobs hanging loosely in the balance....


Just ain't goin to happen in this lifetime...

NO

3 5 0

 

[iahawkeye]

BWI gets much of its business from the DC area but that will soon change. Lououn county is one of the fastest growing and wealthiest counties in the U.S. and the Urban sprawl to the west has just began. The drive from D.C and surounding areas to BWI can take over 3 hours given the time of day, and is a headache to say the least. Even getting from the suburbs to DCI is a major hassle. Given the amount of business travel, as well as the average income in the area, people will fly Indy Air just for the convienence. Along with that Indy has done a great job with marketing already, and the word is spreading quickly in the area. The locals are very excited, and want to see a company that is starting it roots in Dulles suceed. Needless to say it will be an interesting year. As for their new plan being a gamble, sure it is...but so is staying with a bankrupt carrier. At least now the employes have something that their own personal efforts can help lead to the success of the company, instead of hoping that their already sick daddy doesnt die. Personally, I would rather have some controll of my own destiny. None the less, I wish the best for everyone, again it will be an interesting couple of years.

 

[Birdstrike]

I'm rooting for them but it's gonna be tough.

According to what I read in the local fishwrap this morning, their business plan called for 90 cents a gallon avgas. It's what, $1.25 and climbing right now. So that's an expense over 30% higher than forecast with no relief in sight. Plus they weren't able to buy fuel in bulk before the rises hit. So they will burn through that $350 mill pretty quickly on fuel alone.

UAL and SW will match their fares so that takes away incentive to fly them unless it's to someplace they won't go. And yes, BWI is rough to get to from DCA but IAD is no joy either. They have some of the longest TSA lines going and it's only going to get worse.

Still, it took brass ones to do what they did. I hope they make it.

 

[FN FAL]

While I am dismal of ANY downfall of an airline

What does this statement mean? I am dismal?