No Bogata for US

[BuffaloJoe]

First - CLT is not an O&D hub for US, it's a connecting hub.
Second - looking at current international O&D, or connectivity for/of an area which has NO flights or history to South America as a major criteria for success is short sighted. It doesn't count the number of people who have used other domestic and international gateways to transit because they had no better choice. Further, unless one has the passenger count for all major cities within the US system to Columbia, it is not possible to forecast the success or failure of a future non-stop connecting service through CLT. Also, like China, South America is potentially more advantageous for Cargo rather than passenger revenue/yields.

They want to see what they do with China first! I bet they will use a A333 with a fuel stop in Anchorage.

 

[FutureUScapt]

According to MAH4546, the O&D between CLT and BOG is something less than two passengers each day. No wonder US wasn't awarded any frequencies. Even ATL-China and PHL-China have better O&D.

While O&D is, and rightfully so, one of the most important aspects to look at, you need to look at the connecting traffic as well especially in a case like this. US can connect people from dozens of cities in CLT that will help fill the plane. B6, on the other hand, has limited (read: JFK) connections available in MCO to connect people on to BOG. Furthermore, the O&D between MCO-BOG is not enough to sustain a nonstop on its own. IIRC, it is around 50, give or take a few. I'm quite surprised that B6 was given these frequencies as I think they will struggle significantly with this route. IMO, they should have been given to US or to NK for MDE.

If US really wants a route to Colombia, they should ask the DOT to strip CO of its frequencies from IAH-CLO that go largely unused. NK recently successfully asked (AA has filed a lawsuit, so it isn't technically over) the DOT to strip AA of 7 of its frequencies, which resulted in 28 new frequencies being awarded instead of 21.

 

[gaucho99]

US may appeal decision...I heard AA is also going to appeal.

We received some feedback and questions from employees regarding the DOT’s recent decision to not award US Airways the right to operate flights from Charlotte to Bogotá, Columbia. The biggest question was if we were planning on appealing their decision. US Daily went right to the source and asked Andrew Nocella, Senior VP Schedule Planning & Alliances. Here’s what he said:



“We were surprised by the decision and are analyzing the criteria the DOT used to make the route awards. Considering they granted duplicative route authority in the case of New York and Houston versus allowing US Airways in the market as a new competitor, it is likely we will appeal.â€￾



So, what next? Objections are due mid-March and the DOT is likely to render a final decision in April. We will be sure to communicate any update on Bogotá service in US Daily. Thanks to everyone for voicing your concerns and for supporting US Airways!

 

[BoeingBoy]

"Considering they granted duplicative route authority in the case of New York and Houston versus allowing US Airways in the market as a new competitor, it is likely we will appeal.â€￾

Interesting choice of words, that "duplicative".....

Delta will be providing the only U.S.-Bogotá N/S flight operated by a U.S. carrier from JFK, which serves the #2 O&D market for Colombia traffic (although it is their 2nd Bogotá route & CO has daily service from EWR).

It is CO's second frequency from the #3 O&D market (IAH) that is the only gateway to Bogotá for a U.S. carrier from west of ATL. Currently, there are 108 N/S flights/week to Colombia from the eastern U.S. vs only 14-18 from the midwest/western U.S. with 4 of those on Avianca (LAX)

Spirit will serve the #1 O&D market (S. Florida) and offer competition for AA.

B6 will offer the first N/S Bogotá service from the 7th largest O&D market and the largest gateway without any N/S service.

Meanwhile US offered a gateway with almost no O&D traffic and with most "behind gateway" connecting traffic already having one-connection service via one of the other gateways.

In short "Resistance is futile".....

Jim

 

[SS255]

In short "Resistance is futile".....

Hmmmm.....so US is not happy with a "bad decision"....and is going to appeal it?? Unsuccessfully? Now they'll know what it feels like for their employees and customers!

 

[FWAAA]

First - CLT is not an O&D hub for US, it's a connecting hub.
Second - looking at current international O&D, or connectivity for/of an area which has NO flights or history to South America as a major criteria for success is short sighted. It doesn't count the number of people who have used other domestic and international gateways to transit because they had no better choice. Further, unless one has the passenger count for all major cities within the US system to Columbia, it is not possible to forecast the success or failure of a future non-stop connecting service through CLT. Also, like China, South America is potentially more advantageous for Cargo rather than passenger revenue/yields.

Wonder how many other CLT mainline flights feature fewer than two O&D passengers each day? Sure, CLT is a connecting hub (since it lacks the massive O&D of PHL or larger hub cities), but new flights probably won't work out if there are zero O&D pax. CLT-BOG is apparently just 1.7 each day, which is real close to zero.

It's no surprise why US wasn't selected.