They've Landed,how Long Can We Endure?

[sfb]

You all so centered around domestic travel that you do not see a problem that would arise if Usairways goes under.
The problem is international travel....dont you think prices would go up.

Well, no, not really in the long term. US Airways' international system is the smallest of the six largest network carriers. By way of comparison, CO runs about 3 times as many international ASM's while AA is about 5 times as large internationally. US represents perhaps 5 percent of U.S. carriers' international capacity, and that doesn't account for the foreign flag operators who offer service as well.

So you might see higher fares for a few months, especially out of the US hubs, until capacity is readjusted, but fare levels wouldn't be affected much in the long term. Passengers in PHL and CLT would probably have to connect to fly internationally, but it wouldn't be too surprising to see the larger European carriers add service to these cities to take advantage of unmet demand.

And do you all really thing that only WN would profit from U demise.
If U go under the other majors in a good position to move in on U international routes and domestic routes
Dl with its partnership with NW/CO could really make things interesting for WN

DL, WN, CO, FL, and AA would probably see the most benefit from US failing. Given the number of aircraft entering their system this year and their market position as the second-largest carrier in PHL (remarkable after only one year), Southwest probably has the most to gain in Philly. Delta and American stand to do well in BOS, LGA, and DCA, and the end of US's FLL operation would help AA at MIA.

 

[USA320Pilot]

Southwest won't hurry Pittsburgh growth

See Story

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[ClueByFour]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05132/502929.stm

Some interesting tidbits:

Would Southwest be in Pittsburgh if US Airways had not pulled so many flights here? "Probably not," she conceded. While she argued Southwest did not cause the problems now faced by US Airways and other older carriers: "We would be foolish not to take advantage. Because if we don't, someone else will."

The traffic-clogged Philadelphia International Airport, where Southwest started service last year, is "not as nice an airport" as Pittsburgh International, where Southwest now offers 10 daily flights from two gates. Employees that transferred from Philadelphia to work for the new Southwest operation in Pittsburgh "think they have died and gone to heaven."

Southwest's planes in Pittsburgh are 70 to 75 percent full, according to Allegheny County Airport Authority Director Kent George. While Barrett did not confirm that figure yesterday, she said she was pleased with the local bookings so far.

And, for my favorite. I said this a week or so ago and was chastised for it, but it sure is nice to know that the president of the most profitable American airline agrees with me:

About the prospects of a merger between US Airways and America West Airlines, Barrett said America West Chief Executive Officer Doug Parker and US Airways Chief Executive Officer Bruce Lakefield "must be on drugs. I think they're crazy. I don't know why anybody in today's environment would want to add more woes to what they got. ... I don't know [if] the deal will come to pass."