The RJ returns to Airtran...

[propsarebest]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/SkyWest-Airlines-and-AirTran-prnews-1073468401.html?x=0&.v=1

 

[NWaviator]

Welp, there is that.

 

[Minimaniac]

Not sure what is so groundbreaking about this partnership (see article title)... Airtran contracted with AWAC using CRJ's before. I'm not sure what is exactly revolutionary here. I do think this highlights Airtran's commitment to MKE, as in Airtran does not want to fully devote it's resources to MKE, but rather it wants to throw some airplanes at the market just long enough to chase RAH out. And in this case, the market in MKE is really so small that Airtran can't justify putting a large aircraft on some of these MKE routes. Putting CRJ's up against 135's and an occasional 170 just doesn't seem like a battle worth fighting, especially when CRJ's are not a part of your current fleet. Heck, even the 135's are flying with plenty of empty seats. Increasing capacity on an already thin route by more than 100% just doesn't seem like a sound idea. But then again, I was not hired for my business background. Bottoms up... let's toast the return of over-capacity and profitable business models being abandoned in the quest for that increase in market share. Hooray! It's the year 2000 all over again!

 

[Secret Squirrel]

I am sure that is what the Midwest pilots said initially also. Now there are no more midwest pilots.

 

[145BOSS]

The difference here is that the commuter flying will be done "at risk" by Skywest. The former AWAC contract was a "fee per departure" contract. This is a sweet deal for AirTran, if the flying makes a lot a revenue, they get a piece, although a smaller piece than a "fee per departure" agreement. If the flying loses money Skywest has to take the loss and supplement the flying with revenue from other carrier contracts.

 

[CX880]

Not sure what is so groundbreaking about this partnership (see article title)... !

....................................................................................... replace CRJ200 with a 110 seat Skywest jet. It is ground breaking and the next era of regional feed has began. With Skywest and RAH, our regional leaders, at the forefront. Let's all hope us little guys have enough money to buy 100 seaters of our own to compete.

 

[Lynxman]

Heck, even the 135's are flying with plenty of empty seats. Increasing capacity on an already thin route by more than 100% just doesn't seem like a sound idea. QUOTE]

When I flew Airtran back in September from STL to MKE both ways the flight was fully booked.

 

[Erlanger]

I fly for Skywest and I'm not impressed. This shows how desperate we are for flying. This flying is here today gone tomorow if Skywest doesn't make money.

 

[SkyNation]

I'm betting gone tomorrow (or by summer/fall)

 

[CoolSidePillow]

Since the deal is not fee for departure is there a contract term involved? If it does not pan out or Airtran decides to put their planes on routes because of pax loads how easy will it be to toss skywest away?

 

[Anonymous2]

So wait, is this the beginning of SkyWest starting to take AirTran jobs?

 

[145BOSS]

I guess you could say that. MKE-PIT/STL/IND are all routes that were flown with jets that are now going the flown by Skywest RJs. All in all though, I think you are going to see the RJs going head to head to cities served by Republic RJ's on the former Midwest routes to put an end to Republic's power grab.

 

[CoolSidePillow]

Those Airtran routes from MKE, are they going to all be done by RJs or are they going to put them on flights in between that arent as full and keep the bigger loadouts on Airtran planes?

 

[bvt1151]

The difference here is that the commuter flying will be done "at risk" by Skywest. The former AWAC contract was a "fee per departure" contract. This is a sweet deal for AirTran, if the flying makes a lot a revenue, they get a piece, although a smaller piece than a "fee per departure" agreement. If the flying loses money Skywest has to take the loss and supplement the flying with revenue from other carrier contracts.

you hit the nail on the head here. Airtran is drooling at the opportunity to stick it to Republic any way they can. If they can do that with zero risk, then why not?

These airplanes are also much cheaper than the AWAC planes circa 2002, also. As far as I'm concerned, this is a brilliant move by Skywest. If it works, expect more doors to open.

 

[flyboyzz1]

I fly for Skywest and I'm not impressed. This shows how desperate we are for flying. This flying is here today gone tomorow if Skywest doesn't make money.

Thus the reason they aren't re-opening a crew base in MKE. These flights will be flown by ORD based crews.

 

[ultrarunner]

And you're not even having to paint planes.

 

[Baronman]

These airplanes are also much cheaper than the AWAC planes circa 2002, also. As far as I'm concerned, this is a brilliant move by Skywest. If it works, expect more doors to open.

Brilliant by Skywest? Mmm...too early to tell.

I think Airtran is the winner, Republic the loser with this news.

 

[flyboyzz1]

Well they are painting planes but it will just be a spruced up spare paint job...here is the tail.


http://www.skywestonline.com/Admin/news_images/Skywest-AirTran.jpg

 

[crj567]

Go AirTran!!!!!!!

I sure hope they can nail Republic and drive them under! They seem to be going stright for the throat!

-Go big, or go home!

 

[fastback]

you hit the nail on the head here. Airtran is drooling at the opportunity to stick it to Republic any way they can. If they can do that with zero risk, then why not?

These airplanes are also much cheaper than the AWAC planes circa 2002, also. As far as I'm concerned, this is a brilliant move by Skywest. If it works, expect more doors to open.

I think the only brilliant move you can make with a 50 seat jet these days is to back 2 of them into each other, and take the insurance money. Better than flying or parking them.