Is US Airways ever...

[BoeingBoy]

Only A330s that aren't on the order list, Bro. The one's on the list are strictly for east pilots per the TA until a joint contract. Take a look at the attachments to the TA and see how far out those orders go.

and how many A332's are on that order list (although it's really a fleet list with projected deliveries/retirements)?

Jim

 

[Ralph]

Stick to the topic, not the member. Posts have been deleted. Time off can be given.

 

[notquiteUS]

Personally I think PHX is just waiting to come into its own. It's a long ways from being a massive town out in the desert to a modern semi-international destination and place of business. Currently I don't think the environment is ripe for widebody service but I would like to submit the following for consideration:

• In 10-20 years the desert between PHX metro and TUS metro may very well disappear, creating a southwest population center with 6-7,000,000 souls. A lot of the major freeways have just been widened or are in the process of being so; even with the housing bubble and economic slump all long term expectations are for continued growth.
  
• PHX is already grooming a designated reliever airport, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway (AZA) which Allegiant currently operates out of. Regardless of who will be operating them, there is an expectation in the Valley that cargo and passenger air services will grow with business and population. Construction on the people mover at Sky Harbor is ahead of schedule and seeing that aircraft will apparently be taxiing under it they've closed one of the taxiways to work on the elevated track.
  
• PHX is attracting or already hosts a lot of 21st century businesses, including biotech, biomedical, computer hardware, aerospace, solar energy, and nuclear energy, in addition to the existing old school trades of agribusiness, mining, ecology, etc. Who hangs out in the Valley of the Sun? Just a few mom and pop outfits like Intel, Motorola, General Dynamics, GM, Boeing, Honeywell, US Airways (lol), Bank of America, ON Semiconductor, First Solar (across the lake from the sandcastle) etc. etc.
  
• The other day I counted four cranes among the towers of the PHX skyline. There are another two off I-10 and the US60 interchange, building what I'm not sure...Downtown Tempe is also developing rapidly...

So no, I don't think the situation is quite yet ready for sustained US widebody service out of PHX but I don't think those days are too far off; in two-three years I would expect it to become more likely and in five-ten a near certainty, even if we're only talking routes to Tokyo, London, and Frankfurt. A lot of people are quick to dis or discount PHX but it may very well be a market worth occupying until it comes into maturity,..

And don't forget one of the main reasons people travel to Arizona from all over the world is the Grand Canyon in fact millions see it every year and many from Europe in particular. BA sustains steady loads and a good amount of cargo through PHX 6x a week. Theres no doubt if PHX were to start an int A330 route even by the end of this year it would perform well.

 

[LD3]

even with the housing bubble and economic slump all long term expectations are for continued growth.

I believe the housing crunch is what will revitalize PHX, I know darn well if I had the money to spare I would be looking real hard at real estate as we speak.....And you can bet that other people are snatching up some nice homes for future use....