DCA rumors

[US1YFARE]

word on the street is that dca will be losing a lot of flights because there is not enough demand. apparently, you should expect to see a lot more RJ/Republic flights.

 

[BoeingBoy]

I have no idea, but.....

We got ourself in the bind of not being able to add/start mainline flights in one market without taking the equipment from another market. Except for the E-190's, there doesn't seem to be any prospect for improvement till mid-2008.

Of the top 10 markets from DCA (based on enplaned passengers), we serve 3 with daily mainline service - BOS/LGA with the Shuttle and CLT. Of the top 10 markets, 2 - BOS & LGA - have seen traffic declines (9.9% & 1.5 respectively) since 2003 although DCA traffic overall is up more than 31% over the same period. CLT traffic is up, but only 5.5%.

Jim

 

[markkus757]

The PVD-DCA market has seen traffic increase 22.07% between 1Q05 and 1Q06 on average fares that remained flat (OK, down .5%).

Based on the average fare, the increased traffic yielded US $333,000.00 in additional revenue for the year (which I'm sure got offset by higher fuel prices of course).

I've been told by a no longer employed NE regional corporate US salesperson that PVD-DCA (and the PVD station in general) is a profitable market for them.

 

[Barbell]

Good for PVD, so PVD-DCA may not be affected, but there are many, many more markets up for grabs there. And you'll find one thing as you talk to those former salespeople: no one in that department has a firm grasp on what profitability means, nor how to determine it...

 

[ClueByFour]

The DCA market is (was) heavily influenced by Indy Air, and that will begin again in earnest with LUV out of IAD (as well as BWI).

US needs to determine if it wants to continue having a real network out of DCA or continue the trend of deploying aircraft to routes that don't have LCC (the real variety) competition.

The problem with the "run and hide" strategy is that it's temporary.

 

[autofixer]

Don't WE have to fly the slots out of DCA or lose them???

 

[ringmaruf]

word on the street is that dca will be losing a lot of flights because there is not enough demand. apparently, you should expect to see a lot more RJ/Republic flights.

Could poor demand have anything to do with Republic chasing customers away?

I know, let's give them 30 more planes and see what happens, that's a great way to find out for sure. 🙄 :down:

 

[flyingcat]

Have not heard about any capacity shifts but if some mainline is replaced with Embraers then they will probably shift over to CLT and PHL.

All in all a wash.

 

[US1YFARE]

I wouldn't be surprised to see big expansion in CLT.

 

[Travelpro72]

I wouldn't be surprised to see big expansion in CLT.

CLT better build a bigger concourse or something. And the traffic lately....whew. I thought I was sitting in PHL. Whats a happenin'?

 

[BoeingBoy]

I thought I was sitting in PHL. Whats a happenin'?

Management is so pleased with PHL that they decided to replicate it in CLT. 20-25 mile finals are becoming the norm, just like PHL has had for years.

Jim

 

[flyingcat]

CLT better build a bigger concourse or something. And the traffic lately....whew. I thought I was sitting in PHL. Whats a happenin'?

Concourse E can be expanded. It is not yet at the projected full build. US has stated that they are committed to finishing that project with the airport authority so it is a matter of when not if.

Longer term the airport has ambitious plans a new runway and expanded terminal space. Here is what it looks like:

 

[Travelpro72]

Hmmm that actually looks pretty cool. I wonder if that will really come to be. It sure is nice to have an airport with room to grow.

 

[FCYTravis]

What a concept... they master-planned the airport with the idea that growth would come and devised ways to manage it long before they were faced with any sort of crisis. Gee, why didn't some other airports think of that... 🙄

 

[smfav8r]

What will they do with concourse E in that pic?