NW goes after ATA in IND...big expansion

[MedFlyer]

Apparently, NW must smell blood in the water at IND as they are launching a ton of new flights from IND. Many overlap ATA's routes out of IND...though a few are brand new.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040720/cgtu031_1.html

Got a give NW credit...they don't play nice. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if this is really a long term strategy for growth and survival.

 

[lowecur]

Although it's more than 90 out, it will have a profound affect on the thinking of the ATSB and possibly Boeing.

 

[General Lee]

Here's the article:



Northwest Announces Major Expansion From Indianapolis
Tuesday July 20, 12:00 pm ET Carrier Adding 19 New Flights to 10 Popular Business and Leisure Destinations

INDIANAPOLIS, July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Northwest Airlines (Nasdaq: NWAC - News) today announced a major expansion of its Indianapolis schedule that will more than double the number of departures it offers by adding new nonstop service to Boston, Ft. Myers, Fla.; Hartford, Conn.; Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, Fla.; Philadelphia, Raleigh/Durham, N.C. and Washington. All 19 of the new flights begin October 31, 2004.

When combined with its existing schedule of 17 daily flights to its three domestic hubs of Detroit, Memphis and Minneapolis/St. Paul, the airline will offer an all-jet schedule from Indianapolis International Airport totaling up to 36 flights a day to 13 destinations, more jet aircraft departures than what's offered by any other airline. In addition, through its three hubs, Northwest and its marketing partners offer Indianapolis travelers connections to another 436 destinations.

"Northwest is proud to be the leading choice of travelers in America's Heartland," said Fay Beauchine, vice president of sales and customer relations. "Our Indianapolis expansion builds on successful schedule enhancements we have made in other key Midwestern markets for Northwest such as Milwaukee and Grand Rapids."

Northwest's new flights to Hartford and Raleigh/Durham will be the only nonstops offered to those destinations from Indianapolis. Flights to many of the new destinations are ideally timed for a one-day business trip.

"Our new Indianapolis schedule will provide business and leisure travelers with a schedule, array of services and network reach that only a world-class airline can provide," Beauchine continued. "When combined with the scope of our domestic marketing partners, Continental Airlines and Delta Air Lines, Northwest offers Indianapolis travelers unmatched access to the world. In fact, we carry more international travelers from Indianapolis than any other airline."

Northwest will offer daily flights from Indianapolis to Ft. Myers, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Orlando. The Las Vegas and Los Angeles flights will be operated with a 124-seat Airbus A319, with 16 seats in first class and 108 seats in coach class. Northwest's new Ft. Myers and Orlando flights will be operated with a 100-seat DC9, with 16 seats in first class and 84 seats in coach class.

Through its Northwest Airlink partner, Pinnacle Airlines, Northwest will offer two departures to Hartford, Philadelphia and Raleigh/Durham. Northwest Airlink will also offer three departures to the key business destinations of Boston, New York (LaGuardia Airport) and Washington (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport).

All of the Northwest Airlink flights will be operated with 44-seat Canadair Regional Jets (CRJs). Some of the Northwest Airlink flights will operate six days per week, with exceptions being Saturday or Sunday.

Indianapolis travelers using Northwest's new nonstop service will also be able to take advantage of: -- WorldPerks. Northwest's WorldPerks program offers Indianapolis travelers a wider array of options to both earn and redeem frequent flyer miles. WorldPerks members can earn or redeem miles to any of the 236 cities served by Northwest and Northwest Airlink carriers worldwide, as well as the many hundreds of cities served by WorldPerks partner airlines such as KLM, Continental Airlines and Delta Air Lines. -- First class availability. Northwest offers more first class seats from Indianapolis than any other airline. The airline's new flights to Ft. Myers, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Orlando will offer 16-seat first class cabins. WorldPerks members who achieve "Elite" status enjoy unlimited complimentary upgrades to first class.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[thunderworm]

does anyone know if northwest will be or are hiring this year?

 

[Flyingtoohigh]

Sorry thunderworm, but Northwest still has several hundred (thousand?) pilots on furlough. They probably won't be hiring for several years to come.

 

[festus]

Correct, no new hiring with 787 still on furlough and no new annoucements of recalls as of now.

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Until ATA gets the 717, they need to keep filling up the 738s. I'm sure NWA feels threatened by the 717 idea and are launching this service ahead of it to make ATA feel the pain. ATA will suffer.

 

[jjbiv]

What's the rough range of senority dates for active DC-9 F/Os and captains at NW?

 

[FlyDouglasJets]

Got a give NW credit...they don't play nice. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if this is really a long term strategy for growth and survival.

NWA moved in on MKE, putting the pressure on MidEx. Looks like ATA is next on the menu.

Beware, the Viking airline...

 

[320AV8R]

Meanwhile.....

ATA increases service at Indi
[size=-2] 20Jul [/size][size=-2]ATA will increase frequency from Indianapolis on 3 major routes linking Chicago, Los Angeles and New York from October 1st as follows :
Service to Chicago's Midway Airport will increase from 16 to 18 flights a day. Service to Los Angeles will increase from 1 to 2 flights a day. Service to New York's La Guardia Airport will increase from 3 to 4 flights a day ; certain flights operate reduced frequency on weekends[/size]

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Unless NWA uses mostly regional jets, the battle between NWA and ATA will be bloody. From the looks of the earnings picture its turning into a 'Who can bleed longest' contest.

 

[mach zero]

Unless NWA uses mostly regional jets, the battle between NWA and ATA will be bloody. From the looks of the earnings picture its turning into a 'Who can bleed longest' contest.

I would include those antique DC-9's as well. A new 737-800 or 757-2 or 300 isn't in the same league as an RJ product or 60's vintage 9. If a bus or 757 shows up it could be interesting but alot of hoosiers are already well entrenched in ATA's frequent flyer program. Midex and Spirit are still here so NWA needs to realize that they will be taking on LCC's for quite some time when they go in their markets. If everyone loves NWA so much, how come everytime I have flown as MSP flight it has been full?

 

[furloughed dude]

I think you have missed the point. People don't care what equipment they fly (old DC-9 or new 737). Most are looking at one thing.....price. NWA started flying point-to-point in MKE not too long ago and, from what I hear, the loads are excellent. I believe they will be flying 36 flights per day in IND.

They are starting to cherry pick weaker carriers routes (Midex and ATA). They have a very strong midwest presence and want to expand more in this area. I think these new routes will do very good, but what do I know, I turned down SWA to go to NWA (and got furloughed)!!!!

 

[ILStoMinimums]

I think you have missed the point. People don't care what equipment they fly (old DC-9 or new 737). Most are looking at one thing.....price. NWA started flying point-to-point in MKE not too long ago and, from what I hear, the loads are excellent. I believe they will be flying 36 flights per day in IND.

They are starting to cherry pick weaker carriers routes (Midex and ATA). They have a very strong midwest presence and want to expand more in this area. I think these new routes will do very good, but what do I know, I turned down SWA to go to NWA (and got furloughed)!!!!

Your profile stated you flew the -400 for them, or is that for someone else?