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On 4/29/2003 7:29:59 AM FA Mikey wrote:
With the 767 change over nearly complete. Next year as the war is more of a memory, we will see a recovery begining. Then AA will be able to use its new 2 class asset.
Then JFK will get the BCN among others. And maybe just maybe then IMA, FRA return could happen.
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I sure hope so. Things are tough right now, but I feel things will get a whole lot better in terms of passenger growth by the summer of 2003. Of course, I don''t think profits will come that soon, but the losses should, hopefully shrink. A little wishlist I have for MIA:
In LatAm make Asuncion, Belo Horizonte, and Montevideo all non-stop. They are big markets, and can support the traffic, IMO. ASU daily, MVD 5x a week, and CNF 3x a week. Though I understand that the 5th freedom rights on GRU-ASU and EZE-MVD maybe too lucrative to give up, there are no traffic rights on GRU-CNF, and we are talking about a city with 4M+ people here. Start-up Valencia once Veneuzela is healthy again (they were supposed to start VLN last November). Service to Iquitos, Peru, Manaus, Brazil, and Liberia, Costa Rica show a lot of potential with the rise in Eco-Tourism. Those three cities are at the centre of it.
On the domestic front, it is about time to link up Miami with Minneapolis, Kansas City, Phoenix, and Pittsburgh (hey, they finally gave us Charlotte and Las Vegas last winter; it could happen). Add another west-coast destiantion by bringing back Seattle or San Jose. Word is that Alaska Airlines is going double daily to MIA this winter. Loads on thier daily MIA-SEA flight are not only averaging 80%+, but the yields are amazing. I see no reason why AA cannot do it with a 738. I would like to see them retry Austin, and why not connect Miami (and O''Hare for that matter) with the much more business friendly Houston Hobby? Also, in the Northeast, a daily 738 each to Islip and Providence should have no problem filling up (though yield is another thing). Newburgh, NY could fill up on O&D alone (Southeast does it from FLL). And I do not know exactly what the restrictions are at White Plains airport, but if AA could send a 738 on MIA-HPN (though I don''t think HPN allows 738s), that would be one hell of a money making machine.
In Canada, summer service to Vancouver and service to Ottawa could do fine. And winter service to Quebec City with 738s...no problem filling those up at all! In fact, the only mainline service between the US and YQB are Air Canada and Air Transaat''s flights between FLL and YQB. Again though, major issue with yield, especially YQB.
In Europe, it is about time they add Frankfurt. Barcelona and/or Manchester from MIA could do very well, especially with high-density two-class aircraft. Brussels could do well too. With the new SNBA codeshare signed today, I don''t think this would be to far-fetched an idea. A summer service to Rome could do fine too, but yields would suck. Miami-Italy is a large market both ways, but Milan is where the money is.
As for Eagle growth, it is clear Eagle has been doing nothing but cutting at MIA lately, but the new terminal will have Eagle RJ gates, so they obviously are planning something. I am thinking along the lines of two dailies each to Greensboro, Norfolk, Birmingham, Indianapolis, and Colombus.
On the dream list side, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, and Cape Town. None of those three are gonig to happen in this lifetime, but it is nice to dream. At least El Al is coming year-round to MIA starting 26 October (twice a week 777-200).
It is all just a wish list and takes little other factors into account. Obviously some of these ideas are just not viable. Though I do think that of all of AA''s hubs, MIA is in for the most expansion and growth in the next 5-7 years. Enough rambling though, just my thoughts.