Indy Air, Bos

[weatherman]

I watching NBC Nightly news last night and they had a piece on Indy Air. They showed passengers using a US Airways gate in BOS. Is US handling ground operations in BOS for Indy Air? Is this gate no longer used by US?

 

[Hope777]

Not sure about BOS, but in EWR we are leasing them counter/gate and office space. U's Fleet Service Employees are also ground handling them. The net result of winning the contract, was the return of * 10 * USAirways FSA's being recalled to the Station.

 

[AtlanticBeach]

Not sure about BOS, but in EWR we are leasing them counter/gate and office space. U's Fleet Service Employees are also ground handling them. The net result of winning the contract, was the return of * 10 * USAirways FSA's being recalled to the Station.

That just improved the quality of Indy Air's ground personnel. Expect plenty of overtime as Indy Air (aka ACA) is not known for their timeliness.

 

[Air conditioned]

Does Independence Air fly only the Airbus now or do they still operate some of the turboprops as well? If so, when will they make the transition over to all Airbus?

Their pay scale for f/a's is 16.33/flight hour and $1.55 per diem. Anybody know what the pilots are making there?

 

[ITRADE]

Does Independence Air fly only the Airbus now or do they still operate some of the turboprops as well? If so, when will they make the transition over to all Airbus?

Their pay scale for f/a's is 16.33/flight hour and $1.55 per diem. Anybody know what the pilots are making there?

They don't fly the Airbus. They fly the CRJ.

 

[Air conditioned]

Sorry to dispute you, ITRADE, but that is their plan. I was under the assumption that if it hadn't already happened it will be in the next month or two.

 

[Air conditioned]

See for yourself:


DULLES, VA, (APRIL 6, 2004)

Independence Air Announces Acquisition of Two Additional Airbus A319s

New Planes Will Arrive in Second Quarter of Next Year

Atlantic Coast Airlines Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACAI) and Independence Air today announce the acquisition of two additional 132-passenger Airbus A319 aircraft, for a total of 27 firm Airbus orders to date. These two will be acquired from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) and are scheduled to be delivered in the second quarter of 2005. This brings the total Independence Air fleet to 114 jets.


Independence Air is scheduled to begin its inaugural service on June 16th and quickly grow to over 300 daily departures this summer at Washington Dulles International Airport. The “previewâ€￾ website for Independence Air is available now at FLYi.com. In May, Independence Air will reveal all of its launch destinations, and its schedule of convenient departures and low fares. On the date of that announcement, the FLYi.com website will officially be opened for business, and customers will be able to make reservations directly on the site. Web visitors who sign up for membership to the iCLUB now will receive additional information about Independence Air services, and be offered the opportunity to take advantage of special offers and promotions available only to members.

The company has currently a fleet of 142 aircraft—including a total of 120 regional jets—and offers over 800 daily departures, serving over 80 destinations. The company employs approximately 4,100 aviation professionals.

For more information about Atlantic Coast Airlines Holdings, Inc., please visit our website at www.atlanticcoast.com. For more information about Independence Air, please visit our “previewâ€￾ site at www.flyi.com.

 

[AtlanticBeach]

Sorry to dispute you, ITRADE, but that is their plan. I was under the assumption that if it hadn't already happened it will be in the next month or two.

They are planning a November launch for the Airbii.

 

[ITRADE]

Sorry to dispute you, ITRADE, but that is their plan. I was under the assumption that if it hadn't already happened it will be in the next month or two.

That may be then plan, but you question asked, "Does Independence Air fly only the Airbus now or do they still operate some of the turboprops as well?"

Your statement operates in the present tense and sets up the query of do they fly only Airbus or do they fly Airbus and some turboprops.

The correct question should be "Does Independence Air fly only the Canadair now or do they still operate some of the turboprops as well?"

 

[Air conditioned]

Thanks, ITRADE, you are correct. Wrong wording on my part.


Thanks for the update, Atlantic Beach.

 

[ITRADE]

Anyhow, back on the topic.....Air Conditioned raises a good question.

IIRC, ACA had planned on eliminating all their J-41s by the end of the year. However I do not know if the introduction of Independence Air has hastened that elimination or has slowed it up to allow A.I. to operate the craft on routes where the CRJ isn't cutting the mustard. SOmeone from UA or A.I. itself can answer that.

While we're at it, what is the effect of the transformation of A.I. from Atlantic Coast upon Delta and their Atlantic-Jet (DO-328Jet) program? Was the codeshare cancelled? Does Atlantic-Jet operate as a separate subsidiary or entity?

 

[funguy2]

While we're at it, what is the effect of the transformation of A.I. from Atlantic Coast upon Delta and their Atlantic-Jet (DO-328Jet) program? Was the codeshare cancelled? Does Atlantic-Jet operate as a separate subsidiary or entity?

The Delta Connection program was terminated as well... I think within a day or two of the formal UAL termination.

Last I heard, ACA was talking to Delta and Skyway Airlines, Midwest's wholly owned regional airline and 328JET operator, about selling the 328JET operation to Skyway, which would continue to operate it on behalf of Delta... I have not seen any news recently on this item. However, I did see that Midwest pulled service from CVG... Maybe this is connected? If I recall, ACAI had either the 328JET program or the Delta system on a separate certificate, Atlantic Coast Jet... Maybe they sold the 328's and the certificate, in a rather quiet deal?

 

[Art at ISP]

If I am not mistaken, Atlantic Jet was operated for DL, who owned the aircraft. My understanding is that the 328Jets will revert back to Delta Connection, who will take over the flying. I might be missing a detail or two but that was my basic understanding.

I have been known to be wrong before though.....


My best to you all..

 

[ITRADE]

The Delta Connection program was terminated as well... I think within a day or two of the formal UAL termination.

Thanks for the info. I think apart from the new CRJ-700, the 328Jet is probably the only RJ that I have not flown on. I've heard that its a friggin' rocket on takeoff, but that it kinda loafs along en route - a function of underpowered engines? In fact, I've heard that its not much faster than the turbopropped 328.

 

[sfb]

As far as I've read, ACA originally flew the 328Jet's under a separate subsidiary/operating certificate from the United Express flying (ACJet if memory serves) but later decided to just fold the whole thing into the main ACA operation. Delta chose to terminate their Delta Connection agreement with ACA (they had the right to do so at any time with no cause given 6 months' notice), but ACA had a corresponding right to require Delta to assume the 328Jets if Delta were to do so. I had heard the same about Skyway assuming the 328Jet flying for DCI, since they're one of the few (if not only) other operators of that type in this country (Great Plains is defunct).

My understanding about the 328Jet is that it's only a little faster than the turboprop version due to the wing design.

I'm extremely surprised to see US Airways handling Independence, given that they compete directly with United and indirectly with US in Washington, D.C. markets. It's almost like Delta doing ground handling for AirTran.