New route for Airtran, Moline-LAS

[meanstreak]

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040325/255073_1.html

Press Release Source: AirTran Airways


AirTran Airways Announces Non-Stop Service Between Moline/Quad Cities and Las Vegas
Thursday March 25, 4:30 pm ET
Non-stop Service Begins June 17, 2004


ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 25, 2004--AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AAI - News), today announced the airline will add nonstop service from Quad City International Airport to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport. The new flights will begin June 17, 2004.
"We are thrilled to add another exciting destination to our Moline/Quad Cities destination portfolio," said AirTran Airways manager of public relations Judy Graham-Weaver at a press conference to unveil the new destination today. "We expect this market will be as enthusiastically embraced by our valued Moline customers as our current service to Atlanta and Orlando."

"I am very pleased that AirTran Airways has made a commitment to our region with this announcement of non-stop service to Las Vegas," said Bruce Carter, AAE, Director of Aviation at Quad City International Airport. "Las Vegas is consistently one of our top-five destinations from the Quad City International Airport, and travelers from Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois will benefit from this improved service. Las Vegas is popular year-round, and easy access will make the flights very successful."

Listed below are the new nonstop flights beginning June 17, 2004:

Moline/Quad Cities - Las Vegas

Departs Arrives Frequency
----------------------------------------------------------------------
10:30 p.m. 12:05 a.m. Thursday through Monday
----------------------------------------------------------------------


Las Vegas - Moline/Quad Cities

Departs Arrives Frequency
----------------------------------------------------------------------
12:55 a.m. 6:10 a.m. Friday through Tuesday(i)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Denotes first flight June 18, 2004.

AirTran Airways is one of America's largest low-fare airlines - employing more than 5,600 professional Crew Members and operating 508 flights a day to 45 destinations. The airline's hub is at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest airport by passenger volume, where it is the second largest carrier operating 188 flights per day. AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings (NYSE:AAI - News), is the world's largest operator of the Boeing 717 and has the youngest all-Boeing fleet of any airline. In 2004, the airline will begin taking delivery of new Boeing 737-700s. For reservations or more information, visit http://www.airtran.com (America Online Keyword: AirTran).



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact:
AirTran Airways, Orlando
Tad Hutcheson, 407-251-5578
[email protected]
or
Judy Graham-Weaver, 770-907-5054
[email protected]

 

[FLB717]

I saw this post and thought, WTFO? Is this real, naw, it’s another fake press release. But nope it’s real, who woulda thunk?

 

[chperplt]

Keep bringing the people to town!!! The more you lose, the less I pay in taxes!!!

 

[FlyChicaga]

The old folks must be getting tired with their casinos in Rock Island and Davenport, gotta go for the big time. Just one question: What's your policy about medical oxygen tanks? If you don't take them, well there goes about 75% of your customer base...

 

[General Lee]

Wow, I am sure that was one city pairing we WERE'NT going to try. Moline to Vegas? That almost sounds like they are going after the "Aliegent" crowd---they just announced MD-80 service from LAS to Peoria, Bismark, and Sioux Falls.(and they already fly to Lansing, MI from LAS too--an allnighter Eastbound) Those are good for gambling junkets---but I always thought LAS was very low yield. Maybe Moline has a bunch of wealthy people living there that will want to fly between those two cities? It will be interesting to see what Airtran does besides building up ATL and starting a smaller presence in PHL, DFW and BWI. They have been adding some to extra flights from LGA to Newport News and Akron, and also BOS to those cities I think...?The question I have is where would Airtran really put their next "hub"? Time will tell I am sure---or Ty will fill us in....

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Fly-By-Cable]

I see SWA is written all over that move. AirTran is trying to diversify its network the way SWA did. I think we'll see AirTran flying a lot of routs in a future that don't make sense, but make money and keeps the airline out of competitor's way.

 

[CWASaab]

Interesting idea, rather than let an airplane sit over-night in Moline, send it to Vegas. Seems like a great way to up aircraft utilization.

As far as low yields b/w MLI and LAS, well that is what the LCCs do, they fly low yields.

 

[Ty Webb]

These guys didn't make a $100 million profit last year by being stupid . . . either someone is sponsoring it (tour operator or casino) or the numbers are there to support it.

They said during last quarter's conference call that they woudl probably not add any cities this year, but would be adding "directs" and adding frequency.

 

[General Lee]

Kinda like the "Beau Rivage" in Gulfport? Although I don't know if Las Vegas would need to sponsor anyone--since there are sooooo many charter airlines also flying in there--like Ryan, Champion, etc.... Interesting----and being an allnighter--a good way to utilize an aircraft. We should do more of that over here.

Bye Bye---General Lee