AirTran plans to add up to 6 cities this year

[babypurin]

AirTran Airways, a low-fare carrier that flies primarily along the U.S. East Coast, plans to add as many as six cities to its routes this year and almost double its aircraft fleet through 2008, Chief Executive Joseph Leonard said.

The airline, a unit of AirTran Holdings Inc., already has said it will begin flights April 9 from Indianapolis and on May 4 in Charlotte, bringing to 46 the number of cities it serves.

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/business/11096313.htm

[ATrude777]

I'll put money down for STL
Alex

[N524DA]

Please God...OKC!!!

[chrisburns]

Wow only 6 cities eh.

[Foxtrot]

Re:

Please God...OKC!!!

OKC's a good contender for FL service, especially considering the fact that DL has a monopoly between ATL and OKC, and pax traffic is pretty decent between both airports.

Foxtrot

[bospvdflyr]

What about SAT-ATL, SAT- DFW, or SAT-BOS. No n/s SAT-BOS flights and a SAT-ATL flight could put Delta on the spot to add more flights, etc. Also the
SAT-DFW flights could make up for the lost Delta SAT-DFW flights. SAT - good market for AirTran.

[pilotgolfer]

Also the SAT-DFW flights could make up for the lost Delta SAT-DFW flights. SAT - good market for AirTran.

true, DL had a pretty good presence on that route and at SAT. i guess FL could take up gate space at E at DFW also to fill in.

[stl1326]

I would have to say it's either STL or SEA.

[herpa2003]

Maybe SYR??? More people fly out of SYR than do some of the other airports they serve.

[rob_irving]

If Air Tran want to expand their fleet what will they order because the 717 line is closing. Will they order more 737NG's or maybe a Embraer jet?


Rob

[srbmod]

If Air Tran want to expand their fleet what will they order because the 717 line is closing. Will they order more 737NG's or maybe a Embraer jet?


Rob

More than likely, there will be no additional orders for the 737s in the near term; they'll just exercise the options they have. As for the 717, any 717 that comes on the open market they'll probably grab as quick as possible. This also opens up a possiblity of acquiring another carrier. Midwest is struggling and the recent decision to outsource the ramp @ MKE to Skyway was financially motivated, so if they do get in a cash crunch, they could sell off 717s to AirTran or possibly become a takeover target for AirTran.

As for additional cities, here are my predictions:

STL
MHT
SDF
OKC
SAT
YYZ

I doubt that any additional western cities will be added this year. But if any are, drop SDF and YYZ for SEA and SAN.

[AA 1818]

No.. FL is not going to order more 717s... more 737s though!

[expoITHscohen]

Maybe SYR??? More people fly out of SYR than do some of the other airports they serve.

I am hoping. Upstate NY (Not including ROC) is really lacking South Florida service. The O&D for SYR-FLL last winter was almost 180 daily!!!! Since TMA dropped that flight it went down greatly but SYR and other cities do have enough demand for Florida flights. Even ITH-MCO has a daily O&D in the winter of over 20!!!! (That might not be much to you but considering that is 5% of all seats flow out of ITH daily that is a lot.

[yyz-yvr]

Yay! YYZ would be nice. Anyone else think its a posiblity?

[matt1168]

Let's hope that e-mail I sent will help out ACY. We're in need!